Friday, September 28, 2012

Homeless, With Dignity

By LISA PALAZZO

Dear Diary:

Spotted a homeless woman in the doorway of Asprey, on Madison Avenue and 71st Street, a few Saturday mornings ago while waiting for the express bus to the Bronx. The store is being renovated, and a crew of workmen got out and she had to move from her cozy spot. She struck me as having dignity despite her circumstances.

In the doorway,
Lying atop broken-down boxes,
Insulated by shopping bags,
She sleeps …

The workmen come and rouse her.
She neatly folds the boxes,
Places them by the corner trash,
Hoists her backpack,
Smooths down her hair, collects her bags, and moves on …

Read all recent entries and our updated submissions guidelines. Reach us via e-mail: diary@nytimes.com or telephone: (212) 556-1333. Follow @NYTMetro on Twitter using the hashtag #MetDiary.



No comments:

Post a Comment