Michele and I first noticed him standing near the Cafe on Ocean Beach Pier. He was a short, dark-haired, barrel-chested, sickly-looking human we assumed was another in the hordes of homeless in San Diego. After musing a moment we both agreed to approach him. “Hi. Mind if we talk?” I asked. With his head bowed he nodded ok. What happened after that was unexpected. For a while he conversed with us without making eye-contact. He was smart, he bubbled with vitality, and he seemed to love answering the questions. After several minutes he looked up suddenly and fixed his gaze on us. We were both stunned. His eyes were like two crystalline blue portals radiating joy and love. I was convinced that this man was not who he appeared to be. After the exchange, and because Christmas was only a few days away, I handed him two $5 bills and a little New Testament. He smiled shyly and nodded. And then, after shaking his hand and wishing him well, we began the walk back. There is only one way on and off the pier. And we were both keenly aware of everyone around us on the walk back. About midway we both decided to return to ask him some questions that were churning in us. So we did. But when we’d returned he wasn’t there, and no one remembered seeing him. He had not passed us on the pier. That we knew for sure. The man was gone. Could it be...? The following is a creative adaptation of that memorable experience.

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He stood there smiling warily
A roguish look indeed,
Slapdash clothing hung askew
And dragged beneath his feet
.
Both hands gesticulated,
Those feelings deep inside,
It seemed at times an orchestra
Was playing in his mind
.
He waddled back and forth a lot
While sharing words with me
His eyes would sparkle suddenly
And then a tear I’d see
.
“I used to be a better man,”
He said while standing tall,
“And all the girls used anecdotes
And spoke in southern drawls.”
.
Asking where the man was born
He turned and answered me:
“I think it was in Arkansas,
Or maybe Tennessee”
.
I watched him as he fidgeted
Deciding what to share
But all he said was simple things
And then he turned away
.
Sensing my eyes probing him
To understand his plight
He turned around and smiled again
And said: “I have a thought…
.
I’ve been alone for several days
And things have been real bad,
I lost my wallet recently
And every cent I had”
.
I asked if he’d been working hard,
He said: “a circus show”
Looking up with downcast eyes
He said: “they let me go.
.
Please I need some money sir,
A place to sleep tonight,
I was hoping you would understand
And help me in my plight.”
.
Offering him my sympathies
In lieu of something more
I contemplated giving him
What he’d been asking for
.
With staunch determination
I decided what to do
I reached inside my wallet
And some money I withdrew
.
The humble man began to smile
And then with arms outstretched
He hugged me with a passion
That I knew was not far-fetched
.
His face was like a sunrise bright
It glowed and warmed my soul
I felt as if the man had changed
And wasn’t in control
.
With zeal his eyes turned skyward
On his face there was no fear
And when I handed him the bills
He bowed and disappeared….

richard lloyd cederberg
12/2014

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13: 2

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