making the call

[saw]

man huffing
puffing up to me
honesty in his eyes
unraveling old sweater
dirty hat
it's way too hot for a sweater
but maybe that's what you wear
when you don't have a button-down shirt
or a mangled tee
his lips are broken
his beard brambles
I pick up on something
he is new to this
he says hey buddy would you have some coins
so I could get a cold drink
but I give him a sawbuck
I never do that, been indoctrinated
to avoid all beggars by the "experts"
'They're all con men...lazy alcoholics !"
His eyes beamed like he had just seen a miracle
I think I called this one right
the curse of empathy is only that
you may be unexpectedly kind

[sasha]

I've had to make snap judgements like that, too - once accepted a ride from two sketchy-looking total strangers - she turned out to be principal of a private grade school, and he & I turned out to have a friend in common.

[saw]

good story sasha...