I gave 5 dollars to the homeless man
that stepped into my path yesterday
and wouldn’t move out off my way
thinking that I would not see
as he shuffled off with his fortune
I watched as he purchased a bottle
of ginger ale
and mixed it with whiskey

and I sighed, thinking
I can’t control his destiny

Unlike the lighthouse keeper
who holds the bright light
in his hands
and one day just gives up
turns off the light
and descends the stairs
to quietly close and lock the door

Through such selfish actions
*I am the shipwreck
smashed against the rocks
to be the driftwood
that now litters the shore