the cat
the cat sat
the cat sat quietly at attention
before the begging man
each pass i thought about the cat
he sat below my favorite bookstore
where i spent hundreds of dollars
and created unpleasantly heavy luggage
and finally i gave the cat fifteen cents
not even thinking about the man
he was peaceful
smiling
his cat had food
did i feel guilty about feeding the cat
as i looked down on the street
with my bagel and warm tea
and expensive new books
thinking about the cat
feeding the man
keeping him warm
when i came out last night
the cat had on a green sweater
that matched the leash piled behind
it was cold
he was well fell, well loved
the man smiled up at me
remembering my kindness
the cat stared indifferently ahead
neither knew how much i had given earlier
as the ka-chink spelled thank you
the cat glanced at me
long enough to determine
i was not going to kick at them
and back to an egyptian gaze
the man didn't say anything
smiled
for both of them
