Circling the Thought

passing the beggar
a man steps round the thought
of someone in need

Skim Milk

panhandler shivers
as cold faces stream past
skim milk tonight

rain at harvest
tears in the eyes
of many mothers

listless bouquet
from a weary street vendor
cement sidewalk

things in my cabin
hang neatly on the wall
contentment complete

like a stray cat
the teen girl searches the dumpster
one more time

a widow gathers
faded roses from the park
the scent of poverty

the gardener’s child
in a faded rose dress
the neighbour girl outgrew

the laborer’s son
his new winter coat so loose
no bread all week

a broken bottle
left on the grate–tells the tale
a life gone so wrong