Two Steps From the Street

[couchgrouch]

Two Steps From the StreetSaw a guy and a dog while on Main St.'neath a torn up tarp in a doorwayI wasn't sure who was takin' care of whothat guy's face looked so defeatedit was the only sign he neededto tell folks he'd gladly work for foodhot rods and four by fours on Mainsplashed puddles from last night's rainand it made no sense to mehow they'd ignored what it hurt to seehe was two steps from the streethungry eyes above hollow cheeksdirt hiding a Semper Fi tattoovacant dreams from sleepin' on avenueswhere pigeons make the best weathermenwhen they warm up around, warehouse fires downtownhe knows it's gonna freeze againso I hope he found a burn barrel for heatcos he was two steps from the streetthen I walked in a cash advance jointgot a loan to last me till paydaycrossed the street and gave that guy a tenstopped by First Federal and then Allstateleast for a week my bills were all paidthen I saw that homeless man again he'd bought a burger down the blockate half and gave the rest to his dogI thought of life's journey and where he'd beenwhat lost highways had landed himtwo steps from the streetempty eyes above hollow cheeksdirt hiding a Semper Fi tattoovacant dreams from sleepin' on avenueswatchin TV through a Radio Shack windowseein' Dick Van Dyke on Nick at Nitehe was a boy forty years agobut he paid for his mistakes now his receiptis livin' two steps from the streetnow when some guy squeegees my windshieldI see clear that most work meal to mealcos it's hard to stay in the black with blue collar payI steal from tomorrow to get through todaythough I take what steps I can to care for my needssometimes I feel one payment and two steps from the streettwo steps from the streettwo steps from the street...(c)2006 Robert George