White Haired Woman
by Ricky Ian Gordon

White haired woman
Talking slow,
Doesn’t have a place to go.
People passing turn away,
Wincing when they hear her say,
“Mercy spare some change today.”
But, she asks them anyway.
White haired woman
Walking slow,
Has no home where she can go;
Keeping warm on sidewalk grates,
Eating scraps from cleaned off plates.
No one has the time to stop
But the lonely traffic cop.
Isn’t sorry. Doesn’t pray.
White haired woman doesn’t say
What she wanted yesterday.
White haired woman
Gasped for air,
Then that day they saw her there,
Scrumpled up old teddy bear.
Turned her on her side and found,
God, he took her safe and sound.
Praise Him! One day he’ll take me
From this pain and misery.
One last nickel, nothing more.
One last shut, or slamming door.
Better off now than before.
White haired woman, drifting slow,
Like a cloud off Mexico.
Angels can forgive all things.
Now she floats with golden wings.
Pro’bly happy. Pro’bly sings.