Along My Path

Along My Path

Drizzle grey morning walk
eggs butter and fruit
mission from local venue

Singular morgue like figure
cement slab along my route
——no movement——none at all

Returning to my lair
edibles in favorite
reusable canvas sac

Stiff figure now emerging
sloth like moving
collecting previous night’s
saran wrapped marked down meal

I noticed his black trash can lined feet
shoe umbrellas I thought?
last nights heavens tears most likely

His soft speak of stolen shoes
previous night when in slumber
left his eyes fixed left him broken
no shoes ____no road miles coming anytime soon

His wafer like frame
canvas backpack worn , sleeping bag and pad
essentials for survival in view

I inquired the size of his missing
pedestrian transportation “12” say he
“I’ll be back in twenty” say I

Previous online purchase did not accommodate
my widening and arch expanding trotters
these new kicks now had new home

His weary smile said thank you
his drawn in face said tough times
his growling gut addressed close by