First Christmas in New York City

a poem by Joshua Todd James

(author’s note, this December 17th marks my anniversary of landing in New York City, years and years ago… what follows is a poem I wrote not long after my arrival)

ƒirst christmas in new york city

by joshua todd james

what can you say

to the fat hairy man

on his hands and knees

with his pants half down

prone

on the cold december sidewalk

he's sick it seems

or so his crusted clothes say

but

what can you say

to the ragged woman on 96th

with her long face

empty coffee cup

waiting for change

on christmas day

all she says is

please

what can you say

to the man sleeping

under cardboard and snow

on the park bench

with just his dirty socks

sticking out

winter with no shoes

no hopes

no dreams

hey

what can you say

take my coat

take my wallet

take my shoes

i give my hat away

five feet later

there's someone else that needs it

there's no room for charity

no room for sharing

no room at the inn

hunger everywhere

behind me below me and in front

in the mirror

hey

what can you say