A Full Life

There were holes in his tired shirt and his soles and shoes were far from new.
As if time had only hurt they were apart, separating in two.
Dust and grime claimed his khaki pants and a pack desperately clung to his back,
And while his head was down, I saw his journey and tried to completely retrace the track.
Was it the twirl of her hair that emptied his pockets and led his heart into the dark.
Or was it the painful betrayal of an occasional loyalty that left a lasting mark.
Was it the fault of his own. Drugs that he’d known were rumored to be bad.
But took a leap in hope they’d pave the way to the bests that life had.
What was the why? What was the reason?
That he slept outside during this summer season.
The money and cash he had not,
And the clothes on his back were likely his only.
As tears welled in my eyes, I tried to disguise my prayer that he wasn’t also lonely.
But when he turned around I stopped.
A smile tickled his lips and contagiously jumped to mine.
Big and brown his eyes were a special brand of kind.
Brewing of hatred he was far from.
His demeanor told a story of how he had won.
It could have been anything to get him to this spot.
But he still had the faith that his life now wouldn’t stop.
It wasn’t the things that he held in his hand that was the fulfillment he desired.
His steps and stroll had swag. This man in my presence was far from tired.
And I would hope that I too could be like him,
In that his happiness grew from within.
That worldly things didn’t make my heart sing.
And that to this life, all I had I would bring.