The Dead Stranger Poem by Randy McClave

Who was he they all said
When they saw the man that was dead,
Who was he they again did say
For him shouldn't we all kneel down and pray.
And as they walked about thinking and staring
With their eyes and heart they started caring,
Now when their heart was full of sadness and love
They then remembered who he was.
Wasn't he the beggar from down the street
Wasn't he the one that we constantly did meet,
Didn't he constantly beg us for change
And we didn't want to give it, we said he was derange.
Someone said they saw him about a week before
Wearing the same clothes that he now wore,
Many said they had some clothes that would had fit
They now wished he had them for his benefit.
Many were sorry how he had died
Many more knelt in prayer and then cried,
Then as the paramedics and the police were at the scene
They told them that he was always smiling and never mean.
No one knew where he did live
And no one ever helped or ever did encourage or give,
But, I remember once of a woman who did care
She brought him a pizza as he was standing over there.
Then on the side they saw his empty change cup
And with money many began to fill it up,
Many then silently started singing a religious hymn
Some said how they wished they asked him to church with them.
No one really knew his name
And no one knew from where he came,
But, I remember one time that he had told me
Everyone in this area seemed friendly.
Someone then wondered if in life if he behaved
Then someone asked and hoped that he was saved,
Many then did wonder about his life
Did he have any children or a girlfriend or even maybe a wife.
Someone then placed a small cross where he finally laid
Then some in remembrance prayed,
And while they all were praying and also giving
Someone said, should we not had done this while he was living.

Randy L. McClave