What I Learned

from living on the streets:

my hand out at just

the right angle

a smile of anticipation

showing lots

of teeth – especially

the broken one.

Never mind my shirt with

a few holes – and dirty

socks most times.

Smelly good outside the

restaurant today

as fancy pants

and nice lookin’ ladies

hurry up the stairs.

Sometimes they see me--

been working

this corner two years now

a good spot -- a friendly spot.

Folks don’t mind

catching a minute of my time

and askin’

Make much moola man?

Yes I say and they

hesitate with

a toonie wondering how much.

I ain’t going to tell them.

(c) 2018 Richard L. Provencher