9.07.2011

One More Time

I asked her
last year 
why she stands at the corner of the street 
each morning.
Cold, hungry,
shivering.

She wouldn't quite turn towards me
but I came back again.

I asked her 
last month
why she stands at the corner of the street
each morning
hot, hungry,
scorched.

She shifted in her worn brown shoes
but wouldn't quite turn towards me.
I came back again.

I asked her
last week
why she stands at the corner of the street
each morning.
Lonely, hungry,
afraid.

She raised her head, 
drew in a breath-
--but stopped,
and wouldn't quite turn towards me. 

One more time.

I asked her 
yesterday
why she stands at the corner of the street
each morning...

she turned to me
"it's a hard life."
then smiled.