A Footpath Encounter

I see a homeless man
lying on a footpath.

Our eyes meet.

He seems emotionless,
so do I —
for a different reason.

He doesn’t have a 
place to live.
Here I am with a
roof over my head,
privileged,
advantaged,
yet I feel a malaise.

He’s struggling with
basic needs.
I’m with 
existential ones.

I hope he gets over
his crisis.
Then I’ll welcome 
him to another one.