Even the Least, But are They?

They come in small groups, sometimes to shop, sometimes to just be out in public. You never know when they are coming, until you spot them and when you do- If you love them they will love you right back.
I saw them walking single file, the last one stopped dead in his tracks when he first noticed me.
I'm in the well worn path to the toy store.
He stopped... eyed me through thick glasses, I thought originally he was visually impaired but it became apparent that there was more going on.
Every four steps he would stop and peek in my direction to see what I was doing. Four steps and stop and peer, moving only his head on his neck, nothing else would change attitude or direction. Four steps and then whip his head and be still, like a heron hunting tadpoles, and then whip back and four steps.
It took him at least twice as long as it would have normally, and the counselor/guide had to, at one point, slow the group down for him in recognition of his behavior, whether uncommon or not.
I myself sat amused and wondered at his revelation... did he see through my disguise? Was he wondering that such a man, touted in story book and movie was really there? Did he fear that I was an apparition come to sneak up behind him and do him harm? Did He know that I am in fact a saint, called to bring peace and joy to this city where he finds himself making his way?
Answers I may never know, but I know that this is the best gig in town.

The protests were in full swing and the city felt a mixture of fear, unsettled and resignation. A young black man walked by our set and someone asked him if he wanted to talk to Santa. He said sure and slowly walked over, kind of dropped to the couch.
"What's going on" I asked. He said he was concerned about school and who he would become.
I said, "a fine young man like your self," and I stopped and said "look here in my eyes and hear me because this is the truth- people are looking for you, to invest in you for your future as well as theirs. You keep doing what you are doing and you're going to fulfill some dreams, more than just yours. Some dreams of other generations in your family"
"You can believe this or not, but Santa never lies..."
He popped up off of that couch and was gliding down the mall way and I knew he'd caught them vision, that he was going to see all of that come to pass when he stopped and through his fist in the air like he had been given something more than a participation trophy, he'd received a gift.

Ode to a Safety Pin

Her children leaving
Not left behind
Receiving merit
Just to be kind
Her query filled
By happy bovine
Would you like a safety pin?





                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
   
Men passing,taunting
My race rules
As though they'd offered something
Prattling fools
And she in dim light
resembled a ghoul
Did you not see my safety pin?

The world around us
losing steam
Society sounds off
in mortal scream
it's coming apart
bursting it's seam
Did you see my safety pin?