do you have any change miss?
the question curls up from the street.
soft. quiet. desperate.
he was sitting on the ground
with sleeping bag muddy eyes
his thin clothes clung
in the dew damp morning
he was young. not much older than
the son i loved tucked safe and
sleeping warm through the holidays.
i looked him in the eye. felt the last edges
of his hope unravel in the cold
and i wished i had a few coins in my big
empty pockets full of credit cards.
i’m so sorry. i don’t. my guilt coated reply
drops heavy through the distance between us
he sees me. struck uncomfortable and sorry.
he lifts his head, meets my shifting gaze, and thanks me.
as if acknowledging his cold damp skin and the soul behind his eyes were enough to quiet hunger pains.
as if this small second of care was enough to keep him warm.
it’s ok. you’re ok. you have a good day, he nods.
and he tries to reassure me, wishing me God’s blessing as I turn and walk away.
About the Creator
AggieSoon
Let’s not suffer in silence. Let’s use our words. Let them drip from the screen to move our hearts, challenge our minds, and enrich our time. Here are mine. Really looking forward to reading what others have to say.
The Ritual of Winter Challenge Winners
Welcome to the Winners Announcement for The Ritual of Winter challenge. This prompt focused on winter rituals and the meaning that settles into them over time. The top pieces stay grounded in ordinary acts and repeated routines, letting winter shape the work through pace, attention, and restraint.
By Vocal Curation Team4 days ago in Resources
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.