Conversation With a Man in the Streets

I was walking down the street in a brand new suit
when I came upon a man who lived in the streets.
I started to walk on by, but then I heard him sigh,
when I turned, he said these things to me.

He said did you ever wonder how it feels to be a beggar,
to have such hunger in a land with so much.?
Have you ever pondered how it feels to lose your honor,
when you reach out your hand and beg for charity?

Let me see if I can tell you, I’ll try to be brief,
I know you’ve little time for a man in the streets.
I’ll show you no anger, it left me long ago, 
I know you think this is a life I chose. 

But once I had a job and a life a lot like yours
and Lord... I had a family that I loved so dear.
Lost more than the job, shipped off to some island, l
ost all sense of hope and the will to go on.

So I walk these streets, I sleep in doorways
and reach out my hand to you for charity
So when you see me there curled up with the booze,
careful of your judgments, till you’ve walked in these shoes.

But maybe you can tell me each time you pass me by,
why you never look into my eyes.
is it my pain, you don’t want to see
or is it my hand reaching out for charity.

I’ll show you no anger, I’ve none left to give.
it left with a sense of worth and a will to live.
But maybe God will tell you next time you pass me by,
except for his grace, you might say, there go I.

After a year or so and trying to deal with the truths he relayed,
I wrote it down, hoping what he said would go away.

It hasn't.