I See. I See

Mr. M. slouching against 

the building wall

his family in apt 3 other side

awakening with sounds  

of movement – he hears their rush

to brush teeth and prepare

for another school day. Can’t  

let them see he

spent the night outside  Slept  

here in the cold. Shoulder

achy from that WW 11 incident

where he got a medal 

now just a falling down drunk

ashamed to go home.

Takes another swig from

a bottle he clutches. Watches

his kids hurry

on their way to the bus.