Laughs and Lobotomies

I saw a man today, head down, sitting on the side walk with a sign. There are many more men like him in philly now than before the pandemic. But his sign said “It’s my birthday”. There wasn’t a bakery nearby but there was a dessert shop, so i got this nutella bread ice cream thing, wrapped in a pink box. And I left to go back to the man, but he wasn’t there anymore. And I searched a few blocks for him, but couldn’t find him. So I went home, dessert still in hand. And my partner said “I remember his face – if I see him again I’ll get him the cake”.

I’m sorry sir. I pray for you, in whatever religion you choose or in mine, to whomever is watching down on us.

I pray that next year brings good things for you.

I pray that next year is better.

I pray that you are safe, warm, and loved.

And that this too shall pass.

And I wish I had the power to help every person I saw curled up on the street alone.

But by the grace of god I am clinging to not being there myself.

So I pray for you. I cry for you. And I hope it gets better for all of us.

And sir, I hope we see you in the next few days. And I can give you that cake.