HOMELESS

Homeless in Ft. Lauderdale. I saw him many times loitering by the Shell gas station on Sunrise Boulevard. A basket full of clean clothes, slippers, a towel and a bottle of perfume was all that he had. Yes, he wore a wrist watch too. He slept in high sun, in over 100 degree temperature. Many a times police would come and wake him up from his slumber and ask him to move on, and he would, but only to return the moment the police car drove away. Finally he got too tired of moving, not sleeping and just the weakness which a diabetic only knows, made him to ignore the orders. Police came and asked him to wake up and go. He asked them where? Anywhere was the command. This is anywhere, was his response. He was defiant. I was looking at this drama unfold. Finally police ran out of arguments and took him away. I had to leave Florida that day. Some months later I called the owner of the Shell Gas Station and asked of this Brazilian Immigrant Homeless Man. First he did not recall then suddenly he remembered. I heard he died was his casual response. (At least he shared one thing with all other fellow humans. Death.)

Done