this has happened more than a few times

i am out for the evening downtown or walking up the block to somebody's house for a little good times i see the guy from twenty paces he pretends he doesn't see me but i'm the only one around he's sitting down against a wall or standing there talking to his shoes i make eye contact as i do with most everyone i pass before i can spout some generic geeting "spare a quarter brother?" or "i need to get a bus to chicago, i got family there and i've been stuck here for two weeks tryin to get out. i only need two dollars man" yeah right, two dollars and a quarter do i look like a bank get a fucking job you'll need a hair cut how about i give you a goddamn toothbrush jesus christ seriously i really want to say these things i am really not stupid and i know a quarter is not enough for a pint, and two dollars is or maybe he really wants a bite or a bus to chicago or maybe he wants to tell a story about his kids or how jesus is now his one true light and all the shitty things he's done he's tryin his best not to do anymore but it doesn't really matter to me i guess why i should or shouldn't give anything it takes a little less pride than normal to admit need, to look failure in the face and call upon a stranger for help sometimes, if i am not expected anywhere in particular by anyone real soon i'll stay and listen maybe i find a few stray coins in my pocket but sometimes i just don't have any change