City After Midnight

Due to the unusual hours that I keep, I, often, go shopping after midnight at 24-hour a day supermarkets and drugstores. Several nights ago, during one of my late night shopping trips, I saw a sight that broke my heart. I've been thinking about it since. I finally decided write about it.

Cruel is the lonely city night

Blind to the misery of this sight.

The sparse traffic passes

But doesn't see, doesn't hear, doesn't feel

The desperation of their plight.

On the corner where McCulloh and MLK meet

Hunger hangs heavily on the faces of the street.

Two hours past midnight,

A little girl and her grandmother

Are begging for something to eat.

What does it take to make things right?

A five was all that I can spare, tonight.

As I pull away I see no tear being shed

Under the blinking traffic light.