A few, spare words can save a life

Inspire a man to give it all a few more days

To redirect her attention from her baby's  grave

To cause a pause in this cycle of suffering.

To allow a breath to separate the now and then

To begin again, again. Without money, without hope,

Without friends or connections. In a part of town

Where the ragged people go. To live through another

Winter of rain, sleet and snow, to talk and not to expect

A response. Friendly eye-to-eye-heart-and-soul-jazz will light up

The night, the soft timbre of the saxophone, blue notes in a green light, a queer sensibility, alright? 

You are no longer alone. Right?  Baby steps in second hand shoes 

Nothing left to lose: we are many, they are few.