The temperature is dropping each day,
As time seems to move faster than before.
People are whistling as they race around,
Picking out toys for the children they adore.

Long shopping sprees to stock up on staples,
Junk food eaten to save time spent on dinner.
Everyone’s in a hurry to rush home now,
Giving gifts can make anyone feel like a winner.

But there he stands at the intersection,
With a cardboard sign and shabby clothes on his back.
I can’t just look away and pretend he’s not there,
Somehow this man has gotten on the wrong track.

I quickly scan the rear seat of my car,
 Bags of CD’s, shoes, toys and candy are there.
Maybe he put himself in this unkind position,
But isn’t this the time of year when we should share?

As I pull over to the curb and wave to him,
I see a glimmer of hope in his dull gray eyes.
As I hand him the remaining contents of my wallet,
I see tears start to flow that take me by surprise.

“Sir, it’s only twenty dollars, I wish it could be more.”
“Lady, I don’t know who you are, or what you see in me,
But I want you to know that in my eyes, you’re an angel.”
You see, he is just what anyone of us could be.

So the Christmas spirit is alive and well inside of me,
I hope I never lose that sense of compassion for others.
It could be my own family standing in the cold some day,
Or your daughters, sons, sisters or brothers.

And yes, this really happened, more than once to me,
I can’t stand to think I’ve passed up someone in need.
I try to be an example that I’m proud for my children to follow,
That starts by showing them there is more to life than greed.

Dianna Petry Doles ©2004 dianna59@charter.net