Humanity

     He sat there, still, unmoving, and seemingly stiff. However his sign had said “God bless you.” It was made out of cardboard and sharpie, black sharpie to be exact, and his plastic cup sat at his side. It was winter, and snow was falling making the world look like a winter wonderland to some people, but to others it’s just a reminder that they have no where warm to go. The warm Christmas lights hung from the trees, and the snow covered them with a light blanket seemingly trying to keep them warm. But this man was not aware, his chest lightly moving up and down, and his eyes shut gently. He had grey hair and many wrinkles upon his face. His big puffy jacket, and warm-looking flannel pants was the only thing that kept him warm in the snow. He sat against a brick wall with graffiti behind his back. He was asleep. I looked upon his clothes one more time. He had nothing. I looking upon myself, a businessman with a beautiful long winter coat, and a fedora atop my head, my nice leather gloves held my hot coffee. I could see my breath. I was quite warm, but looking at this man I could see the shivers running up and down his spine. I took my wallet out of my back right pocket; I saw only two 50-dollar bills. I looked at the cup and in it there was approximately 5 dollars and some change. I looked at the poor man; he looked old and frail. I walked by him, but stopped and kneeled down next to him. I put my hand on his chest and I could feel his heartbeat. It was strong.

                                                          *  *  *  *
     I woke up and looked around, down the street to my left was a couple. Their hands were intertwined and smiles were planted on their face. I looked to my right, a man in nothing but a dress shirt, a tie and dress pants, walking away from me, in his right hand he held his brief case. I looked in front of me and settled my eyes there. I sighed and at that moment I realized I wasn’t shivering. I was warm in this winter storm, but how? I looked down at my body and saw a long coat, maybe went down to my knees if I stood up and a fedora on my scruffy hair. I looked in the cup that I put out before I slept and saw two 50-dollar bills. I counted the money in the cup; $106.54. Who would give me that? I look down the street, looking for the man with only a dress shirt, tie and dress pants. But he was gone, and out of sight. I looked down at the ground at the right of me

and saw a note,

“Take that money,
take the coat,
take my hat,
and your heart may float.
You’ll become strong,
I’ll become weak,
But it’s worth every struggle,
If your heart is meek.”

     I looked around and everyone was gone.