I couldn’t help but notice as she passed me on the street

with her ragged clothes and halting step

that my shoes could fit her feet!

but my way of thinking shifted

as I turned my gaze away. . .

“Just what has this to do with me

who struggles every day?”

It was then that a voice cried within me

pleading softly to please lend my ear ~

“You must see what you haven’t seen lately,

you must hear what you’ve needed to hear!”

“Beauty is in the beholder’s eye

and love in the lover’s heart. . .

but it’s much harder to love the old wino

who spends all of his nights in the park!”

“Yes, the poor you will always have with you

and the food lines will stretch 3 blocks long. . .

so, can beauty and love find real meaning

with this hopeless and hungry throng?”

“And is love only there for the lovely?

Can beauty bring true peace of mind?

Can you smile as you reach in your pocket

for his ‘buddy can you spare a dime?’ “

“Can you shake this uncomfortable feeling

as you shop for a comfort or two?

‘Cause I noticed it as she walked by

that your feet could fit right in her shoes. . .”

It’s disturbing to see all the people,

the ones that we try not to see. . .

you know them as well as I know them

with their well-worn shoes and tattered coats

and their brand of poverty. . .

If I walk other streets I won’t see them

it won’t bother me more than it could. . .

but my life in this corner of Pittsburgh

would be dead and dull  and no good. . .

for

I couldn’t help but notice as she passed me on the street

with her ragged clothes and halting step

that my shoes could fit her feet. . .

Sandy Ozanich ~ Copyright 2012