Loyal Companion - June 1 2023

Loyal Companion

June 1 2023

They stake out their favourite spots,

holding hand-made signs

or strumming guitars.

Some have dogs.

They lie on the sidewalk

heads on paws

looking wise and forbearing;

content, as all dogs are

with their lot in life.

They sleep rough, and look it.

No longer use hats or pans,

but open hands

an instrument case

a dog bowl.

And either look into your eyes

or carefully avert them.

They ask politely,

saying ma'am or sir

but mostly miss;

so even ladies of a certain age

can feel flattered,

and some young men

not used to honourifics

take a quick glance behind

to see who he's talking to.

I don't look back.

Instead, I hurry by

and try to look preoccupied

by my own weighty matters;

a kind act

at little cost

I can't seem to stop for.

A very frugal man

who finds parting with a dollar hard;

yet, by his very frugality

should be that much more

aware of its value.

A sensitive man

who resents the feeling of guilt

those pleading eyes elicit;

who knows

how luck has privileged him.

And an over-thinker,

who complicates things

instead of simply giving.

Hard times

in an unforgiving world,

where panhandlers

seem omnipresent.

So many

we've come to be blind to them;

like street furniture

just there.

And their dogs,

who I can plainly see

always come first.

Who might once have been scruffs

   —  lean as greyhounds

with their ribs sticking out  —

but never hungry now.

Street dogs, rescues, mutts;

but also loyal companions,

both loving and well-loved.