ON THE STREETS

.

First I parked my car and got out

with a clipboard in my hand

where I looked like a street police

taking notes in service to that

.

I walk the streets in cold rain

meet people from everywhere

listen to their stories

in the middle of nowhere

* * *

Julie asked for socks and size eight shoes

but the right one is bigger than the other

from congestive heart failure

and because of retaining water

.

“God bless you” she said afterwards

“you too” I replied “god bless”

“but god blessed me with you” she said

as if this was a play of poets

* * *

Tom was drafted to war

ended up killing 20 generals

than became a karate champion

in United States Olympics

.

He  was hardly able to hold his sign

his body swollen from diabetes

whom I took home for a hot shower

and washed with my own hands

.

I’ve never seen a man pray like that

I disappeared in the moment of such power

then when I came back to my self

I greeted him with great honor

* * *

Some say they’re Vietnam veterans

seen their buddies blowing apart

and now under a rusty bridge

can’t stop repeating “what was it all about?”

.

Some were native Americans

driven to the streets with whisky in their hand

staggering like lost souls in the dark

and not sure who’s their friend

.

Some were beautiful blossoming women

made some mistakes in young hood

now an old maid with red rouge

on the streets of Hollywood

.

Some were children who were used

didn’t have much hug and kiss

by adults who were only trying

to find their own peace

* * *

At lunch I see a musician at park

in his hand a broken thing

his voice begins to get shaky

‘cause he’s about to ask for money

.

“Here’s five bucks I say” before he does

the old man suddenly looks young

“I’ll think of you” he says later

when playing his favorite song

.

“Good luck” I wish him as we part

probably will never see him again

yet I’m left with these funny feelings

like the vibration of his new guitar strings

* * *

Kelsey is a lady with big green eyes

to whom I gave many things

but my favorite blanket and poncho

vent to her dog named Phillips

.

At first there’s the pain

in letting go of what’s mine

then I’m magically transformed

back to where I’ve begun

* * *

Later I meet a man in transition

he likes what I wear on my chest and feet

so I begin to undress myself

on the corner of a busy street

.

Yet I’m not cold although naked

for there’s a fire within

and it feels like being shocked

as if thunder is touching my skin

.

We see that it doesn’t matter

what happened or still to come

all it takes is to see the bliss

in the now where life lives

* * *

At any stage I realize

there’s a child always present

and that’s what we shall look for

not what seems to be apparent

.

I can’t judge for I haven’t walk in their shoes

all my stories must come to a stop

to recognize what’s present

and closer than any thought

.

Some say life is like a play

with laughter tears and plots

and the audience is silent

as if being watched by mighty gods

*

*