The Beggar

 

Seated on  cardboard

shabby and swarthy

careworn and haggard

stretching a cadaverous hand

covered with calluses

to make an urgent demand

for money and food .

–

 

Some  people pass  by

turn their heads away

seem not to care

they refuse to see

as if  nobody is there.

–

 

Others hear the plea,

rummage their pockets

only for a short while

and hand  some dimes

enough to paint a faint smile

on a face furrowed by  hard times.