"Please Sir, Can you spare a dollar?
I've not eaten in a while.
The nights are cold, mid winter now
and shelter I have none."

[Why does he look at me like that? Does
he not understand how hard it is for
me to beg like this. There was a time
where I would never have needed to beg
like this. Can't he see this is tearing
me apart.]

"Yes Sir, work I've tried to find
but it is so very hard.
They find out no address have I,
get told to move right on."

[Why is it the first thing people say
is 'get a job'. If they had any idea
how long and hard I've been looking
they would be shocked. They have no
idea of the prejudices out there. If
you have no home or only list a
shelter they take one look and tell
you ever so politely 'you are not
what we are looking for.' ]

"No Sir, I have no family.
My wife died three years past,
took with her our only child.
Twas a driver who was drunk."

[ I had a family. A wife I loved
dearly and a beautiful son. A drunk
driver plowed into them at a
pedestrian crossing. Killed them
both and that damned lawyer of his
got him off. Not responsible for
his actions due to poor upbringing.
I admit I hit rock bottom and
tried to drink myself into oblivion.
Haven't drunk for more than a year
but once down they don't like to
make it easy to come back up. ]

"Bless you Sir, may the angels smile,
may your life be filled with joy.
There is enough here to eat for a week
and contented I will sleep tonight."

[ I can see by the look in your eyes
that you are wondering if you are
being conned. It does not matter why
you are being generous it just means
I live for another week and who knows
tomorrow might bring hope. ]