Seeing/Not Seeing

This was written on 08/15/2011 when I was working in the Gas lamp of San Diego and would walk from the ferry landing down Broadway to 4th ave.

Walking early morning, downtown is on the verge of waking up.

Choices are seeing/not seeing.

Those whose lives on the street : dirty, begging, sleeping, in couples, with pets, handicapped with carts, wagons, wheelchairs. All in your face asking for help that you might not be able to give even if you wanted to.

As passed by just showered, off the Coronado ferry walking with purpose to work. Seeing/not seeing an elderly man sprawled on the sidewalk, his left leg just a stump. The homeless couple in their sixties huddled together in a blanket. The crazy one with the wild eyes all looking at my with a mix of envy and hope that I would have something to share.

Sometimes I see , sometimes I have not to see. My empathetic hearts pained by life’s harshness.