Something to Ponder

on the sidewalk and in the sun

I have seen this old man around town recently
carrying and enormous pack.
he uses a walking stick
and moves up and down the streets
with this pack strapped to his back.

I keep seeing him.

if he'd only throw that pack away, I think,
he'd have a chance, not much of a chance
but a chance.

and he's in a tough district - east Hollywood.
they aren't going to give him a
dry bone in east Hollywood.

he is lost. with that pack.
on the sidewalk and in the sun.

god almighty, old man, I think, throw away that
pack.

then I drive on, thinking of my own
problems.

the last time I saw him he was not walking.
it was ten thirty a.m. on north Bronson and
hot, very hot, and he sat on a little ledge, bent,
the pack still strapped to his back.

I slowed down to look at his face.
I had seen one or two other men in my life
with looks on their faces like
that.

I speeded up and turned on the
radio.

I knew that look.

I would never see him again.


- Charles Bukowski