Street soldier

You were a street soldiera green eyed apparitionhungry for foodhungry for warmth,you were an unknownunderground addictionstanding on tube platformasking for reactionto your animal understandingof humanity’s footsteps.You were angry for equalitycouldn’t feel the cracksbeneath the pavementspent time eroding an equationthat hurt your mind:a child of the suntrapped in cold climesasking for admissionwith a love that melted 6am.frost,open arms to offersnatched snippets of a wisdompassed from Jewish generationsdark curls that swept cheekscarved by angel’s hands.You recognised potential in my smile,could have been a con mans trickcould have been lost nightsin Babylonian Citadelcould have been desperationas you clung to semblance of a pride.What was my line? Vanitybelieving beauty struck you;not the jewelled fingersor the warm fleeced winter wrappings,or the canopy of protection I trailed.You were a street ratnot by choice or inclinationas we unwound the layersof thin fleshed sufferingto discover bone,as I sent you to tomorrowgarnished with a blessinga hope that you will finda hand to hold that isn't mine.