Once I got asked by a girl on the street for money.
I have experience with drug addicts,
I knew what she was asking for,
behind her earnest request for hotel money.
I always give what I am able to anyone who asks,
I don’t care what they do with it,
they are fellow human beings,
I hope it relieves their suffering.
I gave her a $20 and felt her relief.
Then she said,
‘my boy has been sick today, I think he has a fever’,
and as I looked where she pointed,
He looked up at me
and I fell into his blue eyes,
so wise and sad,
full of hope and despair.
I tumbled, free-falling, into his need and his wicked world
and I wanted to pick him up and run
forever away.
from what he had been born into.
from what he was living through.
from who he would probably grow up to become, based on these circumstances.
and as my heart broke,
and my world spun,
and I tried to breathe,
tried to hold back my tears,
tried not to show my shaking hands,
as I gently smiled into those eyes and touch his cool forehead,
hoping he felt my love,
knowing I could do nothing, but pray for him,
I made myself walk away to get ice cream
my heart burning passion.
I was glad I had been able to give her a few dollars,
I prayed it would help him get some rest that night.
and now I carry him with me
I regularly fall into the pool of his eyes,
and I cry for him,
and all the hurting children.
I send him love, light and protection
In his dreams, I wonder if he knows I’m with him?
In his waking, I wonder if he feels the angels I send to circle him?
Sometimes I wonder if he’s one of the 5 people I’ll meet in heaven.
I know he is loved mightily by his creator, and so I have much hope for his life.
Sometimes I wonder how you can fall in love so deeply,
feel so much
and be haunted forever,
in just a city-second,
walking down a Cincinnati street
with my friend, Margaret,
on the way to Graeter’s
AL 9/22/13