poem of the day 04.15.09

alms

the pleas don’t
work
on them
the begging
for food
a job
the tinkle of
some change
in his cups
doesn’t move
anyone
doesn’t lift
all the good
people
into some
benevolent
rapture
it is only
when he stops
and tells them
that he loves
jesus
that he misses
the good word
and will be
going back
to church
tomorrow
that the alms
pick up
and his cup
becomes
so heavy
he can hardly
hold it
with one
hand.