a new bottle for my bag

a new bottle for my bag

i am not a bum

i retort as people pass by me

shaking their heads

at my shame

i am not a bum

i retort as i steal a swig

from my paper sack

and the bottle neck 

that protrudes

from my shame

i am not a bum

but thanks for the five-spot

it will help me 

to just misstep towards the diner

and wind up in the liquor mart

purchasing a new bottle 

for my bag

i am not a bum

quit shaking your head 

at me in disdain

you're not better

and my shame 

is not contagious

you won't catch it

if get near enough

to toss me a bill or two

i am not a bum

just off my game

temporarily 

someday our roles will change

you will be on the street

with your paper

sack

with your own shame

i won't shake my head

but will walk right up to you

and put a five-spot

directly in your hand

and smile

hoping you won't misstep

the diner

like i did.

erin-cilberto

1/21/26

Reviews

[Laz K.]

we all ride Fortuna's wheel and go up and down and up again. the poem addresses issues on many levels: the individual, the societal, the psychological, the private, the public. the good thing about empathy is that it works on all of these levels if we're willing and able to use it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, if we are willing to use it. Thanks so much, Laz.
j.