Tread Softly Poem by Dónall Dempsey

I drew my dreams
on the cold city’s pavements.
I sketched
a few tears....some grief

with coloured chalks
I displayed my love
& in a shaky hand
declared: All My Own Work!

I sat
with my hat
open to
all weathers
& the stares of people who passed by.

You passed by
& paused...for a minute.
“Hmm...childlike! ”
You threw me
a coin

(both heads & tails flashing in sunshine)
It hit
the brim of the hat
and rolled agonisedly slowly into the gutter

dropped through the grill
choked with leaves & rubbish.
Your footsteps
evaporated
(in the city’s traffic) .

And the rain
came
and the rains
came

...washing it all away.