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HOMELESS IN NYC

Michael Keshigian

I crossed 42nd to get to Fifth
towards mid-town
and just paces in front of me
an old lady pushed a shopping cart
full of identity.

Bags of cans dangled
from each elbow
clanged as she waddled
in clothes
worse than a country scarecrow

though her straw gray hair
hung longer
tied in a tail with brown hosiery
to match her stoic, weathered face.
It pained my heart

when suddenly she squatted
and froze
in a deep knee bend
like picking something off the sidewalk.
I quickly approached

to help
unaware of the problem
till a puddle formed
and its river flowed
around my shoes

down the curb.
In the privacy of her mind
she transformed
my sympathy
to confused helplessness.



Scars Publications


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