WAITING

He’s behind the hot dog stall
frozen to the bone.
Eyes unfocused
and beyond reason.
Belonging nowhere and
pulling the blanket tighter.

A rake rough cough and
Gimme your change Mister
Speaking out from neon shadows.
Smelling onion and red sauce
The beggar sits;
pulling the blanket tighter.

Shoes, legs and bodies
walking past,
walking fast.
Gimme your change Mister;
they ignore him;
pulling the blanket tighter.

10p and a fag
There you go brother
Thank you Mister, God bless
don’t talk too much;
just the money.
Pulling the blanket tighter.

The night before he
watched a crescent moon.
They were young and drunk
and kicked him hard.
There you go boys, nice shoes
Pulling the blanket tighter.