I met a young man on the streets
he had a backpack full of school books
I bought him lunch and sat with him
he told me about his family
how his mother was insane
his father a drunk
he was from New York
and to make money he performed spoken word in the subway
he said he needed to disappear
to get away from his hell he called home
and I had tears in my eyes
he had the biggest smile
his eyes shimmered
no matter what his life was like
he said he was happy to be alive
and I wish I had the courage he has  
I spent ten minutes with a man from the streets
who had a backpack full of school books
and a smile that could save the world
he tipped his hat toward me and shook my hand
and that was the last time I saw
*Benjamin.