It’s a typical gloomy Seattle day
Not quite rainy, the sky a sooty, pearly haze.
At least it’s not the cold
that bites into bones
now weakened from age,
seven decades all told.

He walked along the streets cluttered
with tents and blue tarp,
belongings in grocery carts,
life on the run.
"Where did they come from ?", he thought.
They couldn’t have started like this.
That woman there with dull and silvered, matted hair.
Was she once a lovely miss ?
She’s given up or has lost hope,
maybe into drugs, going down a slippery *****.

It’s a compelling urge for him to help.
Something basic in human nature
to give directions to someone lost.
A bit of his time and maybe a fiver.
What would it cost to buy her a meal
A burger, some fries...not a big deal.

It would make me feel better, he thinks.
She looks up at him now,
staring blankly, doesn’t even blink.
He doesn’t even feel the cold steel
that slips into his side.
The woman’s mate grunts as he collects the blade,
not caring what damage was made,
but quickly searching for something of worth
from the stranger who invaded their turf.

It’s a typical gloomy Seattle day
Not quite rainy, the sky a sooty, pearly haze.