the dark of the night surrounds him
enshrouding him in mystery
the cloud of his breath in the cold night air
is the only sign that he’s alive
a black cloak covers his body
and rustles with every step
he seems not to walk, but to glide
moving silently across the sidewalk.
he hands his head to the ground, and
I feel a sinister air about him.
For a moment, as I pass him, he looks at me
the blue glow of the moonlight on his face
makes him look young.
I looked into his dark eyes to see
nothing sinister, but immense sadness
Then he turns his head down again
and passes me, just another
stranger in the night.

2/27/98