Coffee Break, 2-10-2009

a man leans against the brick wall
of parking lot number 5
on the main street
he is Worn
his face, jacket, soul
asking every passing stranger
the same question
i shake my head and speak
no extra change for your sandwich
the bag of quarters
that i just counted
is not extra
six dollars
enough for cigarettes and large coffee
and almost an hour away from The Desk
now i am broke
the way back i am a stranger again
same question
head shakes, no words this time
back to work
for both of us