having read this ode, one cannot conclude or say that it was not heartfelt and humble and truth sounding and artful top to bottom. I found it opened my eyes to what is possible to do, given you have words at your disposal and the interest and the inate instinct of which to place where and which there and the entirety of which to launch where grateful eyes,. which are mine cannot conclude but say, I thank you Glenn for this wonderous fare.

Glenn, I feel honored that one of my poems inspired you to write this. And how true that we rush past these "invisible" people as if their lives had no meaning, when in fact they definitely do. Talking to a number of homeless people over the years made me aware that each one of us could be the person we pass on the street. Maybe that's why talking to Don meant so much to me. Not all street people are approachable, but he was. Thank you for writing this about the homeless man you notice.
~Chelle~

I've already read Michelle's 'The Old Man', and I like the way you've developed the theme to incorporate parallels with estranged 'peers' and contrived purpose, together with the use of 'late', suggesting pressure of time generating tunnel perception, but also the portentous nature of encounters with the unknown.
In brief, a compelling study of priorities and alienation. Top floor Glenn :)

Yes, I too like how one poem can give birth to another as here. A surprise stimulating twist to the street person theme, and well worded reminder to stop and smell the roses, even if it makes us late occasionally.

i like how one poem can push you to read another...going to Michelle's library in a second...i no longer work downtown, so i no longer see homeless people on a daily basis, but i cannot forget their faces. some of them are con artists, some of them are junkies, and some of them are perfectly content to not take the world so seriously and just live...hungry, cold, harrassed, but free.

Great word pictures Glenn....Charlie