Corner of South Pearl and Arch

styrofoam cup filled with a blessed morning

capturing the message of the daily bread publication

the ease of slumber forced off with abrupt lights on

sweet words of work…and forgiveness

polar bears on the cover of god’s thought points for the week

bears staring me down as I sip through prayer

past men who slouch as they loiter in doorways

in corners

layered with stink

cigarette butts saved in pockets

sweating out sorrow

hungry enough to come together

cold enough to accommodate Jesus

had just enough to endure this tension

subdued pack of rogues

waiting for the word of god to end

for some breakfast

looking for a way to slip through this crowd

head down

drawing so little attention

I am a windswept plastic bag

blowing over the pocked pavement

discarded

pay no mind

...please