The Wise Man Dressed in Rags
by John Loreth
Maybe it was fate
that I happened upon him—
that wise man dressed in rags,
but as I stood he called to me
from the darkness beneath the bridge
"Why don't you come and sit a spell,
I wouldn’t mind some company for dinner."
Not to be detoured I said I was too busy
and would like to be alone.
"Come sit with me by the fire
and share some of my bread
for I have seen many like you
but I wish to hear your story."
So down I went
and I sat beside him
on an old rotted couch.
I ate his bread,
drank his whisky
and questioned him with my eyes.
He stared back amusement and compassion,
but still the man said nothing.
"You said you've seen others like me?"
I asked and got no reply as
time began to walk hand in hand with anger.
"You’re nothing but a waste of time!"
I said and gathered myself to go.
"My son," he said. "I wish to hear your story."
"Story?" I asked.
"Yes, what brings you to this place?"
I sat again and long I sat
and the dirty man just chewed
on his fermenting bread and stared
as he waited for me to speak.
"My girlfriend dumped me," I said at last.
"So did mine once long ago,
but what of your friends? Those who you cherish
are the best shelter in any storm."
"I have no friends; they left me too."
"Then what of family?
With Mother and Father you’ll always have a home."
"Pops, my family doesn't speak."
Again, he sat in Silence and stared
as I watched the fire dance.
"My life's a joke," I said and rose.
I had much to do
and couldn't be kept by an old,
worthless bum.
And still he sat and stared
as I slowly walked away.
"Boy," he said. "Come here again,
I have something more to say:
many have sat where you just did
and all I tried to save
if the bridge is where you wish to go
Than go now;
you have to find your own way."
"I have to go!” I said
with a tears suicidally
leaping from my cheeks.
“It's the only way!
A release. An escape . . ."
"My son," he said. "I'll never understand
what bring people to this place.
why die, my child
you have barely began to live?"
And for that I had no reply.
Written: March 26, 2000
Revised: March 10, 2001