Robert Lee Haycock writes

LOST

The operator took pity and let him board without paying at Market
"Don't bother the other passengers."
He found his way to the back of the bus where I sat all alone
And he stank and he grimaced and twitched
He sat opposite me and said "How ya doin'?"
"Good," I said, "and you?"
"Good," and mumbled something about sleeping at the beach
And he stank and he grimaced and twitched
"Is this the Number 5?"
I nodded, thanking Creator that my own boy was home in bed
This young man could have been my son
And he stank and he grimaced and twitched
I could have moved but he wanted companionship
That was all I had to offer
No food, no scarf, no money in my bag
And he stank and he grimaced and twitched
He reached out and touched my knee
He waved when I looked up from reading
I waved back at him
And he stank and he grimaced and twitched
I rang the bell and got off at 10th Avenue
He got off there too, 40 blocks from the beach
He is lost and so am I