Morning Conversations

Abandoned for hours

This city is still

Stoplights, they flicker

Wind brings a chill

I walk the same route

Each morning before light

Share the same sidewalks

Where they say goodnight

Addictions for some

Mental illness for others

Teens on the run

Escaping the their problems

People, yes people

With stories to tell

Lives full of promise

Living a homeless hell

I ask, "Where are you from?"

"What brought you here?"

"Can I bring you some food?"

Response, "How 'bout a beer?"

Most are, what they are

Responses the same

Money or Medication

To dull lifelong pains

To have hope, now that's something

That's nearly impossible

When people ignore you

As if you were invisible

I don't have much

Just shoes on my feet

Steps to my office

Right past those that freeze

Regardless of answers

To my questions above

I think I've decided

I'm going to show love

Make an effort to stop

And have a conversation

To just be a voice

Or someone to listen

There may not be breakthrough

Answers the same

But maybe, just maybe

A life will be changed