Walter and the Mechanic

Walter walked into town

saw a mechanic sitting down

smoking a cig, taking ten

on the edge of the curb, scraped arm on the mend

Walter thought, 'look at that man.

Someday, God willing, maybe I can

have a job, take a break

have something to live for besides this wandering

for wandering's sake'

Then the mechanic looked up

from his sugar-coffee cup

saw Walter standing there

shoes united, clothes askew, streaks of something? in his hair 

The mechanic thought, 'look at that man.

Someday, God willing, maybe I can

walk the world, face the sun

have something to live for besides my everyday

get-this-day-done'

He squinted at Walter with grimaced lips

Walter stood there, hands resting on his hips

(for this was the mechanic's smile

and basically Walter's 'I'm thoughtful' style)

eyebrows raised, Walter thought

'that man thinks I'm an idiot and ought to be shot'

The mechanic stared back, thinking his own thoughts

'that man thinks I'm lazy and now I've been caught'

(he could be introspective if he wanted to be

and he liked to project, self pity-ing-ly)

awkward and alone

they both stared for seconds at each other's bones

Then Walter turned south

a dryness in his mouth

put his right foot out first

looked down the street for relief

from his thirst

the mechanic he rose

brushed the ash off his clothes

kicked his butt to the street 

and like all times before

beat a languid retreat

Two men and a moment shared

neither one knew the other one cared

community builds, isolation defeats

the thoughts in your head

are like Walter's lost streets