Warm summer evening—
 
behind the sleazy motel
 
a homeless man sleeps.

 
 
 

Last night of the year—
 
in his favorite dumpster,
 
a homeless man snores.

 
 
 

On Thanksgiving Eve
 
a homeless woman beds down
 
near the temple gate.

 
 
 

Unexpected rain—
 
the homeless man hunkers down
 
in his cardboard box.

 
 
 

Labor Day weekend—
 
the homeless man keeps weeping
 
for his missing dog.

 
 
 

The homeless woman,
 
shifting in her cardboard box,
 
startles a field mouse.

Cans

 
 
 

On a trashy street
 
a homeless man and Jesus
 
pick up soda cans.

Beans

 
 
 

First day of the year—
 
a homeless man and Jesus
 
share a can of beans.

Crèche

 
 
 

Christmas Day blizzard—
 
a homeless man finds shelter
 
in the church’s crèche.

Sweater

 
 
 

The homeless shelter—
 
an old vet digs through the bins
 
for a blue sweater.