Who’s on the street today?
Here, no troops, no tanks, no swagger.
Here invisible people line up for coffee, a snack.
Here, a woman sits, surrounded by bags of clothes,
asking for something in her size.
Here, my Navajo friend, smiles toothless, says
“Long time no see…since Monday!”
Here folks need toilet paper, hygiene kits, socks,
nothing gold-plated, thank you.
Here a man, bent over with fentanyl,
struggles to find words for what he needs.
Here the woman gets the extra-large slacks and flowered shirt,
returns the gift of gratitude
Here they line up for the bathroom,
queue for food,
accept a burrito,
focus on what’s needed
speak a street-truth.
Elsewhere there is marching,
perhaps good trouble and civil speech,
and here:
light in brief moments,
adding to a larger radiance.
5 thoughts on "Who’s on the street today?"
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I love the imagery and contrasts in this. Your ending lines are beautiful!!
The speficity of this poem makes it sing, and sing loudly. Thank you so much for sharing this!
What a beautiful reminder of the healing power of slowing down and how seeing and serving those who are otherwise “invisible” provides a small light that will overcome the darkness, when combined with other small lights.
Thank you.
Yes! The larger radiance is the perfect ending for this.
Love the “Here…here…here…” pounding us to this glorious ending, “adding to a larger radiance.”