deathly cold
for those with
nowhere
to run to...
that day
was only good
for people
with homes
to look forward to...
to warm up in...
to run to...
we walked through
the dead snow
marveling at the
beauty of winter
as we shopped...
7 years old
and smiling at
everything-
at my sisters
at my brother
at my mother
but
not at the
lady
on the street...

the large lady
standing in
the lifeless snow...
the large lady
freezing in
the lifeless snow...
the large lady
chanting in
the lifeless snow...
the large lady
crying in
the lifeless snow...
the large lady
stuck in
the lifeless snow...

we rushed by her
in slow motion
and I saw
her skimpy clothes
her empty cup
her tearing eyes
and I heard
her chattering teeth
her empty cup
her half-sob half-chant
"got change?"
"got change?"
"got change?"

my mother
dragged me on,
ignoring the
dying woman
and her simple needs...
helpless to offer
one dime
to ease her pain,
I watched her
as she
cried and chanted
cried and chanted
cried and chanted...

and I cry...