WRITTEN FOR THIS SECOND WEEK OF JULY
 TUESDAY’S 
OPEN LINK NIGHT #OpenLinkNight
@dVersePoets.com 
hit the pavement blues – walking a mile in your shoe – left behind steps #haiku
we hurry down the Chicago city streets
passing each magic mile window shop
near a corner
coming toward us
an impoverished woman
with her crying child
we hurry our steps
we keep moving
trying to keep from seeing them
we just repeatedly say, 
no thank you
no thank you
no thank you
as if she just offers something for sale
won’t you please help us ladies?
we need some food
      god bless you lady . . .
walking faster we cross the street
she is one of the “invisible” people
and her daughter is one too
haunted faces
tired eyes pleading
hands held out
won’t you help lady?
please, lady
     my daughter is hungry . . .
no don’t ask
just keep walking
please don’t ask
just keep walking don’t stop
don’t make any eye contact
       images kept swirly by . . .
but we are only sidewalk shoppers
we know you not
we can’t be bothered
we are only consumers 
not givers 
not savers
we buy things
not connecting not really
even wanting to
afraid
afraid
afraid
        afraid of what could be . . .