Yesterday on the subway

We sat

Discussing politics or gossip

When a blind beggar spoke.

Stabbed in the eye and homeless

He blessed the crowd for their generosity

Which had yet to be proven

And you stayed silent

While I looked down; uncomfortable

Reminded that it was luck- not merit

That kept our metrocards and stomachs filled

And as he left

we looked into our wallets

at the cash we said we did not have

and rationalized we needed it-

we did not have money to waste.

Quickly conversations banished the silence

Not because we did not care

but because we were terrified

That we would rather see a man go hungry

Than part with a few dollars

Just like everyone else in the car