Did you see the man standing in the middle of the street?
The one with the sign.
It says "Will Work for Food"
I barely caught a glimpse if him as I drove right by.

I pass by him often, not really giving much thought.
Car after car passes by also.
I'm thankful for what little I've got.

Yet, I still do wonder about that man standing there.
Why day after day he looks motionless,
Probably wondering if anyone will stop to care.
Then one day I noticed out of the corner of my eye.
A stranger threw some change at him,
Quarters, nickels and dimes.

Quickly he bent over to pick up the mess,
Hastily picking up what he could, and leaving the rest.
He stood back up and stretched out his back.
He looked to the sky to see the clouds turning black.

A downpour soon followed, yet he didn't leave his spot.
That day I again passed him being thankful for what little I've got.
He still stood there with his sign "Will Work for Food"
More cars drove by some making gestures that were awfully rude.

The water splashed upon him as the puddles around him grew deep.
His clothes were so soaked, his shoes were we as well right down to his feet.
Yet he still remained there, and when the sun came out,

He wiped off his sign, and he faced due south.
That was the time I left a parking lot, looking for an alternate way out.
There he was standing there, his face was so sad.
Again, I was thankful for what little I had.

As I waited for my turn at the light up ahead,
Somehow he caught my attention, it was a moment I wouldn't forget.
For it wasn't a man at all but a woman, her face was red.
I thought it was from the sun, then I looked closer then to myself I said,
"She's crying..what has happened to this world?"

"Doesn't anyone show compassion? This woman's dignity has been totally unfurled!"
I decided to act, and I couldn't let this go on.
So I got her attention, because this whole thing was just so wrong.
I pulled off to the side, and she came slowly up to me.
She explained that she is a single mother of three

She just lost her job, and there's no-one to help.
She hasn't anyone really, just her kids and herself.
I asked where they are staying. She said they live in a shack.
It was an abandoned building on the north side of the tracks.

I told her it's not safe to stay there. She said, "What should I do?"
"My kids are all hungry, and there's no money for food."
I convinced her to come and get a bite to eat.
I hoped I could help get her and her kids off the street.
I placed a few calls, and not too long after that
A woman from the local shelter met us at the restaurant,
and soon drove with the lady from the street to show her where the kids were at.

When I look at that corner now where the woman once stood,
I wonder who will be next holding a sign made of wood? (maybe me?)

I never saw that woman again, and I hope she knows she taught me a lot.
And I am still thankful for what little I've got.