day ONE THOUSAND and EIGHTY THREE

Sidewalk World

The homeless are scattered
like broken teeth across the sidewalks
in my neighborhood. Some broken
at the root, some just chipped.

I walk past without eye contact.
It’s hard to do
when I’m carrying food
or wearing my coat.

Meanwhile, my two cats lounge on my bed.
When they get hungry, they circle
their plates and mew. I forget the sidewalk world
when both crawl into my lap to nap.


--Jeri Thompson