this piece for you – 

the abandoned one.

solitary confinement, 

it seems, 

in a world of (not always) smiling faces.

for the you that wishes to be he, 

or she, 

or really any of the they. 

for just one minute of any given day,

to understand feel – 

as much as the absence of touch.

this piece for you – 

owner of less than (it seems) enough.

shepherd without cause –

gatekeeper to an empty lot.

how often,

in life, 

do we pass each other on the street –

share paths –

travel in the same direction –

yet unaware the other exists?

today i saw a homeless man,

and after the initial wave of sadness left,

i found myself wondering if just maybe it was his choice?

while hard to imagine –

life devoid of the accoutrements we deem mandatory for contentment, 

maybe it was his way of avoiding the pain of indifference.

just maybe he chose to be lost –

less painful,

than merely being –

forgotten…

the absence of arbitration.

inviting the cold disconnect of solitude –

the comfort of alone.

too often we gather in congregation of suppose.

disallow our words the freedom of truth.

and finding ourselves surrounded by assembly of deceive,

we trade our identity for the vanity of same.

how can it be –

this miracle of life –

this singular celebration of creation –

can somehow become so much less than allowed?

instead of stepping up to challenge adversary of deception,

we hide behind our banners of indifference –

feigned allegiance to (counterfeit) conviction.

yet when we find ourselves alone –

exposed –

wearing only garments of insignificance –

we shout from platform of contempt –

challenge delegation of discrimination.

uncomfortable –

wearing shoes that do not fit,

walking reluctantly through minefields of indiscretion –

conveniently hidden just under the surface of our regret…