by Jane Brunton

Created on: June 19, 2008

The rushers rush
The squatters squat
The hands stretch out

As we look intently elsewhere.

Foul your bedroll
Bandage your wounds
Bag your bottle

As we look intently elsewhere.

Trembling hands hold the cap
Stick legs bend and totter
Snow bites down

As we look intently elsewhere.

Put on the empty cap
Pull up the tarp
Sleep it off

As we look intently elsewhere.

You had names
You were somebody's baby
Full of promise and joy

But we look intently elsewhere.

You had wives and husbands
Sons and daughters
Full of promise and joy

I think of this as I pass, looking intently elsewhere.

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