The panhandler

There is a space

between the lines

between the words

where there is room

for the real story of a life

to be discovered, 

tasted, smelled, handled.

**

That guy on the corner --

an aged drunk, using all guile to

extend his buzz --

was  

quoted, with all eloquence

fifty years ago. Today,

I held the magazine

and read the quote

and heard it read

and shook my head.

**

There is an instant

between the days

between the moments

when there is time

for the real story of a life

to be discovered, 

tasted, smelled, and handled.