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his being was elsewhere
it showed in his face
which was fragile and pale
it showed in his eyes
which were distant and lost
he lay half on the curb
half in the street
and cars leaving target
turning right at the exit
were close to running him over
mine was one of those cars
a few blocks away
unsure and ashamed
i turned back and
saw that his body still
lay half in the street
and his being was still
somewhere else
when i walked over to him
i realized he was very young
barely out of his teens
i said do you need an ambulance
he looked up with vacant eyes
i bent down then to implore
that he lie closer to the building
you’re going to get run over i said
the cars will run over you
for a short while he remained
somewhere else but finally
a certain awareness came over
his youthful gentle ancient face
and he pushed himself up
fully onto the sidewalk
i felt the need to leave something
so i reached into my pocket
and gave him what bills i had
and as he sat looking up
the barest acknowledgment
sparked within the depths of his eyes
the spark of light we all know
that connects each to each
no matter our conditions
and i found myself saying
in spite of what i believe
god bless you take care
then returned to my car
and cried all the way home