We passed him every single...
Illustration
Object:
We passed him every single day. He sat just outside the subway entrance, an old coffee cup in front of him, a cardboard sign around his neck tied on with string. He was dirty, often smelled of urine, and he nary uttered a word. But he was there, and his presence screamed, "I need your help!"
We were off to jobs that paid well, dressed in good quality clothes. For the most part, we ignored him, tried to put a bit of distance between him and ourselves by circling wide, like a running back doing an end around. Some would toss a few coins into his cup but more often derisive looks and ugly remarks were tossed his way.
Then he was gone. After years of being there he just vanished. There was no notice in the papers as to his death or arrest or victimization. He was gone. Many breathed a sigh of relief and went on their way to work or home or to the mall, one less nuisance to avoid.
The Sunday after the man's disappearance, this text was read. I don't know if anyone else heard it, but it was like a dagger through my heart. The only response possible, "Lord, have mercy upon me a sinner."
We were off to jobs that paid well, dressed in good quality clothes. For the most part, we ignored him, tried to put a bit of distance between him and ourselves by circling wide, like a running back doing an end around. Some would toss a few coins into his cup but more often derisive looks and ugly remarks were tossed his way.
Then he was gone. After years of being there he just vanished. There was no notice in the papers as to his death or arrest or victimization. He was gone. Many breathed a sigh of relief and went on their way to work or home or to the mall, one less nuisance to avoid.
The Sunday after the man's disappearance, this text was read. I don't know if anyone else heard it, but it was like a dagger through my heart. The only response possible, "Lord, have mercy upon me a sinner."
