A Nickel

A old homeless man sitting on the corner, holding out a hat
People walking by saying "Gross what is that
He seems to never get up from where he sat
He might not talk, nobody knows, they don't try to chat
He sits through the cold, warmth, and blistering heat
This is not easy, no simple feat
No amount of weather has had this man beat
Layers of socks bundled up on his feet
Jackets ripped in many places, stuffing falling out
He looks to be in pain but doesn't scream or shout
He looks to be a good man, but personality is what its about
I passed him by many times when I walk out the store after I checkout
I may not be a rich man but I have change to spare
So I toss a nickel into the hat still covered with hair
He looks up to me and starts to stare
I wondered why, a nickel sounds fair
But the he says something that makes my heart feel full of lies
He says "Maybe this month I'll get a good meal of a small box of fries".
I knew I must do something before this poor man dies
Since that incident over a year ago
He has learned to adjust, and let his words flow
He had been ready to let it all go
But a nickel can change a mans life you know
Copyright © Jase Pinski | Year Posted 2021