in the damp evenings
sheltered just under the overhang
sitting quietly in a ratty blanket and dirty cap
he breathes
and he begs
fighting the tight fist of urban charity
taking what he can get
nickels, dimes and pennies.

they collect like drops of rain at the bottom of his cup
clink clank go the raindrops
and he thinks
as they pass him by
it's a dry season in the city this year
then goes back to watching the rain

AcB 04.24.01