Do You Have A Quarter?

I pass them by,

as they give me a stare,

each one of them asking

if I have a quarter to spare.

Their sad eyes

blaze into my soul,

I feel so helpless,

like I have no control.

What good would MY quarter do?

Surely 25 cents isn't enough,

for no good would a quarter do,

their life is much too tough.

They ask me again,

"Sir, do you have a quarter?"

but I decide to turn away,

I can't look anymore.

Their ragged clothes

are torn to bits,

cries for help

is what their heart emits.

Their pleas hit me

like a bullet to the chest.

How anybody could end up like this,

I could never guess.

But I just walk on by

and don't reply to their request,

their pitiful sight makes me think

about how truly I've been blessed.

I turn away in sadness,

for this life will surely cut their life shorter,

as they continue to ask me,

"Sir, could you spare a quarter?"

~Aaron Eugene Haa-Heo Nelson

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