The heat on the asphalt You could see it Coming up in opaque waves The sea of cars sent Flashed of light off the windshields.

We found our car Climbed inside It was like an oven And we were in the brew Getting settled, The beast came alive From it's nap

We wove out of the Lot meant for parking. And there we saw him. Grey hair was frizzled and unkempt His blue eyes showed Distress, pain, and longing

I opened the door, and stepped out again He smiled at me, and I saw the gaping holes Where teeth should have been His sigh read 'starving, will work for food' Beside him sat a small bag With all that was left of his life

He took the money I offered. Five dollars, a small sum He thanked me so vigorously His joy and thanks contagious He shook my hand, mine soft and fragile His large and so hard it felt like wood

I don't know what happened to him The next time we went by He was gone, His sign was there Wet, torn, destroyed But I hope that he Left and is now happy Because that's all That anyone could Hope for