cruel energy
on the savage streets
twisting and jabbing
into your spine
no place to hunker down
all concrete
splattered with rain
making sure you know
you are nothing
standing under the eve
of Lucky's Pawnshop
hugging yourself
trying to feel warmth
tears mingle with the rain
has it ever been worse than this
jam hands in pockets
loose change
enough maybe for an entrance
into the all-night diner
across the street
cup of hot java
oh yes, coffee will hit the spot
clutching the
three quarters, two dimes and four pennies
you streak across the street
fling the door to the diner open
step inside
my oh my, warmth
short order cook
gives you the eye
nobody else does
they're in the same shape as you are
down-and-outers
sit at the counter
shivering from the cold and warmth combined
coffee you tell the man sitting at the cash register
short order cook hears you
sets a steaming cup in front of you
wrap your hands around it
warming them
as you do you look around
skinny girl at the end of the counter
looks at you
drops her gaze
a frightened doe
surrounded by a room full of hunters
she looks so alone, so
unapproachable
still
you take your cup and approach
put the coffee cup in front of her
she has nothing except a glass of water
she raises her eyes
they say thank you
she takes a sip
pushes it toward you
you drank
by the time
that cup of coffee is empty
your hands have found each other
your hands tell each other
nobody need be alone that night
you pay for the coffee
and leave
back into the drizzling, cold rain
she has a place
nearby
there you hold her face in your hands
acknowledging the kindness in her eyes
you cling to each other
fully clothed
on the bed
pull the cover over both of you
and, still fully clothed
lay there
giving each other all you have to give
warmth and whatever comes from it

~*~ Life is simpler when you plow around the stump. ~*~

~*~ Life is simpler when you plow around the stump. ~*~

~*~ Life is simpler when you plow around the stump. ~*~