Bulbous nose red and weathered

Grey hair in massed disarray 

We sit on the ledge in the noonday sun

And speak of wallpaper knives and such

He’s waiting for lunch from Styrofoam

The menu varies as the supplies allow

Street kitchen promises a noonday meal

Content and quantity based on gleaning

He had a job a proper trade 

wallpaper hanger as he allowed 

Used this here knife I’d just handed him 

By the one inch size mine was half

The bag was a shelter kit of tarp and items

Needed to construct a rainproof tent

Twine duct tape zip ties and such

With a pepperoni and bandages to round it out

With offhanded dignity he accepted my gift

And as we both sat staring at middle distance

He said thanks bro this is nice of you 

I said stay safe my friend and ambled off