Charity for you - A POEM BY RICK MARRINER

Charity for you, Brother.

By Rick Marriner

Don't think I don't see you there, brother
there in your fancy new coat
behind yo fancy new designer sunglasses
who you hiding from, anyhow?

Who you gotta darken your soul to?
Did you see me today? Pass me by
with change rattlin in yo pocket?

Did you listen to me and tune me out
sut me off from yo subway ride to work?

Take from yo surplus? Aint it so,
Ain't it what you do when you hide
behind yo "Charitable Contributions?"
Tax write off to the poor.

Here's a magic mirror to look in yo soul,
consider it my "charity" to you!

Author's Note

I sometimes wonder what the beggers on the subway are thinking when they stare at me for the entire ride back from Manhattan to Long Island.