My friend waited
a few feet away
while I hand someone
a folded-up $5 bill
that I always keep
in a brown prosperity pouch
when I’m out + about
and I always say to the person
this is from the Cherokee Nation.
Joining my friend now
around the corner
she said, he’s dying
yes, I agreed
she said, he’ll buy a drug
I hope so, I said
and let’s say he lives another 4 days
and the drug helps him for 2 days
and at the end of day 2
someone walks to 1st + Union
sees this man, nearly expired
and says, “come to my table
to my banquet
to my feast
There’s a bed
in a special house
in Shoreline
if you want it”
the street person crawls upright
in full-blown agony
and shuddering takes the deliverer’s arm
and into the van.
Let’s jump ahead
where this discarded man
had been the yr. Before
goes to his old corner
on 1st + Union
sees a throw-away near death
hands her a coffee
repeats the favor given him
he lives 40 more yrs. or so
repeating the favor
done to him.
— Shadow Bluetteron Manywhales