A Free Man?

A Free Man?

Copyright - 1/25/96

When the rain stops
Who comes to see?
With the exception of one man
Some would say
He's a free man
But do they know differently?
Or does he tend the crop?

Does he continue?
To walk through his life
With the exception of one
He might say
He's not a free man
How do they know?
Is that man you?

When cardboard imitates shelter
Candles imitate flickering light
Love imitates madness
No one calls him sir.

When cold penetrates his bones
Likeness penetrates his fear
Sorrow penetrates sadness
No one hears him moan.

When people walk in the alley
Do they really see?
With exception of a few
Some would say
He's a dirty man
What do they know?
Bring him to his knees.

Does this man walk alone?
What of his family?
Does he have love and know?
They would say
He's a crazy man
Why don't they stop?
Reap the seeds they've sown.

When newspapers liken a pillow
Garbage likens food
Handouts liken unforgiveness
He's a weeping willow.

When caring ceases to exist
And caring not, the man dies
When caring declines
He's a willow in the midst.

He's a man
Without a home
Forever
He will roam
He's a dog
Without a bone.

He's a man
Living on a thread
Forever
Seems long dead
He's a number
No wife or kids.

When prospects become numbered
The prospects are small
When prospects give in
He sleeps a long slumber.

When hope is forgotten
He hopes eternal
Fear hopes to realize
The extent of his sins.

When people pass him by
Do they know if he is alive?
With the exception of himself
He would say
He's a doomed man
How does he know?
Foresee through all the lies.

Does he have feelings?
Like you or me
With the exception of loneliness
He would say
He's unwanted and overlooked
Do we really care?
On the street's he is king.

He's a man
Disregarded and alone
Forever
He seeks fortune
He's invisible
He'll die soon.

He's a man
Sleeping in the streets
Forever
Lost in the heat
He's uncanny
To the people he meets.