IN THE SHADOW OF MONEY

In the shadow of money,

Where the homeless move

Their shopping carts,

Where there’s only the aroma

Of a good hot meal.

Currencies zing overhead,

Dollars and cents in all directions

But down.

Men in suits and ties hurry

To catch up with their leader.

The homeless man doesn’t wave hello or goodbye.

“A nickel or a dime,

A quarter if you will,

A dollar if you cancan.”

And still no one looks

The man--a thin dollar falls his way.

Between fast food

And faster pedestrians,

It’s a wonder anything

Catches the eye.

No one notices.

“Good morning...could you...

Never mind,

Hi there, do you have...

I just want a cup of coffee...

It’s cold, right?”

The lawyers come.

The bankers go.

The tourists--

They take pictures

Another hungry day flees the scene.

“I can watch your car

For an hour, for a dollar?”

“I can open the door for you

For just one thin dollar.”

Just a dollar...

KEARNY STREET BECKONS

ALL COMERS TO EAT, TO DRINK,

TO EARN A LIVING

TO SELL ONE’S SOUL.

“A NICKEL OR A DIME...:

Copyright (c) 2010 by the author