ive been living in big city for awile now
bout 9 years (this time)
and ive grown accustomed to indigent folks
asking me fore money
i dont feel guilty anymore when i pass them by

some i acknowlige and some i dont

my generation used to call them beggars
and long gone are the days of the hobo and vagabond
now with advent of political corectness
we now call them street person and panhandler
way way back when panhandling was
a profession not a designation

anyhoo (holy talk the talk)
i got no probs shelling out a person that
by no choice of their own is unemployable

i got a problem shelling out to those lucid and witty enough
to toss me pithy comments as i pass by

"spare change, visa, mastercard"
"spare change for pot"
etc
i realize this stance firmly plants in the same garden as my parents
but some thimgs shouldnt change

hard working folks should catch the odd break
and certain people need looking after
either till they can do it on their own
or till (if ever) they are well enough to pitch in
"freeloaders" should be at the back of the line

"do i have any spare change?"
..."no but i do have some dough in my pocket that
i worked for"
and if yer a smart-alec, you aint gettin any!!