sitting on a curb
crying
sits down nearby
offers him whatever he has
in the brown bag
the boy flinches
then grins
takes a swig
chokes it down
has to start twice
to say “Thank you”
the bum nods
says “Got a cigarette?”
boy grins again
fishes out two
they both light up
after a couple of drags
boy says “Thanks”
bum nods again
couple of drags later
boy asks “Why does it hurt so bad?”
bum studies him
takes another drag
“Dunno,” he says
“Mebbe so’s we appreciate
the times between
when we remember to”
they finish their cigarettes
boy says “Thanks”
stands to walk away
bum looks up
says “Naw, kid,
Thank you”
bum takes another swig
stares at the moon
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