The Gas Station Lady

 

The gas station lady stands

in front of the old Arco,

screaming obscenities

 to an apathetic crowd.

Even if they took a moment to listen

to the random rantings of the "crazy" gas station lady,

it's likely no one would catch the pain

buried deep in her words.

She speaks of society and government

and aliens dropping from the heavens;

of God’s glory and grace;

All the subjects we so carefully avoid.

Conspiracies of the heart....the mind;

leading her on a daily journey,

from Target to Arco to Burger King

and back to the old grocery store,

where she sleeps away the chilled night

in dingy blankets and cardboard boxes.

Insanity took her mind long ago;

these people now take her soul.

I glance at the uncomfortable faces,

Desperately trying to avoid eye contact;

praying she will turn on someone else.

And then I remember…

I am one of those people;

standing in the crowd,

avoiding eye contact.

Desperately hoping

she will turn on someone else.

And I cry…

Not out of pity or sadness,

but from the realization that

I am one of those people.

Are you?

I live by these words. Giving love, kindness, compassion, money should be done freely, without strings. Love is not conditional.

Written for  @Onestoppoetry for oneshootSunday photo prompt homeless hosted by @moondustwriter #poetry http://bit.ly/bIQAq3