i will soon be asleep
in a space private and warm.
i wish the guy
selling last month's papers
outside the grocery store
could say the same.
he's not resentful
nor hardened
but gentle without artifice
and a bit bewildered.
how did I get here?
he must wonder.
he tries to assure me though
he's ok
he has two blankets
to sleep between.
Have a good Christmas
he says as i walk away.