The day was warm
but Nameless One was bundled
in heavy, soiled clothing.
He read intently, not noticing my camera
and I felt like and intruder pointing it his way,
but there was something I knew my heart needed to remember
from the unsolicted moment.
I wondered if he sought escape
from the world he had come to know,
or if the words he read were the very thing
that helped him feel connected to it.
I wondered what had led him there,
and if there had once been days of
intently reading his paper
with coffee in hand
and family all around.
My heart was crying
and I wanted to ask him
if he'd like a coffee now,
but the car was already speeding away
and he moved out of my vision
as quickly as he had come into it.
I think of him now
and the many he represents
with a prayer.
