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
*
*
