A child stood shivering on the street,
a mound of sleet around his feet.

His hair is ragged and uncombed,
he cries out, "Why's Momma be gone so long?"

His lips are arched into a frown,
brown eyes flinch as he looks around.

His coat is wet, holes in his pants,
he shifts back and forth in a prance.

I reach out and offer him my hand,
he looks up, and saying, "Thank you Madam."

I put my coat around him,
his eyes glitter as he gives me a grin.

"Why are you out here in the cold?"
Answering, "My parents are gone, I'm all alone."

"They've been gone for maybe a week,
I come out here to find something to eat."

Asking, "Do you have a son?"
I'll bet you two have lot of fun."

"My Momma and Dad don't worry about me,
they like their drinks and want to be free."

"I'm like a festered torn in their sides,"
tears swelling up in his rejected eyes."

"Now you go, don't worry about me,
God's standing here and knows all my needs."