urban hike

an evening stroll through the sparkling streets of downtown san francisco, all lit and dressed to the nines for christmas, led us past a man on his knees. in the posture of penance, he begged for the spare change of people who were throwing hundreds of dollars at corporate retailers--and he knew it. in my polite WASP nature, never wanting to be a rubbernecker, i side stepped him, knowing i had no change in my pocket. his clear voice rang out above the din of the shoppers, the voice of a prophet, maybe even the voice of God with us, "you can shove your bags in my face, but you can't give me change."

i sidestepped God tonight. i should know better.