Excuse me sir
The words were uttered
Surprised I turned
To see another

"If I may please have a second of your time"
"Sure" I said "That will be fine"

I'm sorry I'm at a loss for words you see
I've been out here since 8am
Everyone I've asked has passed me by
Looked me over as if I'm not a man

The time then was 1:30 in the afternoon
Dumbstruck I did the math in my head
Five and a half hours in the same spot
People treating you like you was dead
That's ****** up
Is all I could say
Open my ears
And listen away

I know you are late for a movie
And busy with your time you must be
I know you work hard for your money
That in this life nothing is free
I know people may be suspicious
Thinking with money I will burn and waste
I promise you that I am only hungry
Food the only thing I will take
For this please sir I ask you
If you may take the time
Could you please get me some pizza
I won't ask you for a dime

Please sir I assured him
If food is what you need
Take this and buy some
We all need to eat

Looking down he received the gift
Smiling back holding out a hand
Mine stretched out we did shake
The recognition of a man

"Enjoy the food" I did say
"And you the film for me"
Turning around he walked off
After hours on the street

In my mind this man did stay
His eyes burned into my brain
Worth of life measured in wealth
Class divides remain

Unconditional love
Given without pause or thought
Feel it in your veins
It's what brings us to our knees
Love for a stranger
The refusal to fight
A brother or sister
In this or another life

Painted green
No eggs and ham
Number "33"
One 12 oz can
Once from glass tanks
They do flock
Old Latrobe
The Rolling Rock

Waves rock
Back and forth
Time takes me
Back to sleep
Moonlight pools
Travelers steps
Curled up
I'm falling back

Concrete the paper
My feet the beat
My brain the pen
Sun the inspiration

When the economy tanks
Unregulated globalized free market capitalism run amuck
People are told to be thankful to have a job
Even if you are miserable with that job
And with service sector jobs making up 80% of employment
Misery is widespread
Underpaid, undervalued, underappreciated
We are human beings for ***** sake
We are starved for more than selling shoes
If being thankful for misery is the best option
It's time to re-evaluate