The vagabonds live among us
balancing our lives
like parachutes in the wind
as they make their exits from human frailty
onto the earth's vast domain

Testing our quiet fears
like fierce hurricane winds
their lives caution our hesitance
to share our own human deficiencies
while we give from empty pocketbooks

Like in a play called Divine Messengers
their roles of destitute and needy
make us think twice
about the times in our own lives
when abundance left our vicinity

They hide among ash cans
and emerge like pelicans
as they swoop down onto our existence
carrying blemished and feeble bodies
while they find solace in a stranger's love