Accepting Gratuity

The nonchalance of boys who wait in hunger
And touch their toes to the dirt and do not look up
Are not giving way to the ruling classes
They are giving way to human nature
They will not grovel, they will now beg
But they will wait for darkness, to rummage through
The garbage bins
For they would rather give way to their hunger
Then bow down to other men
Who wear their evil arrogance upon their thorny brows
NO! you will not find them, on their knees, as cowering clowns
You WILL find them, in line, at break of day
Waiting for opportunity, to pay their own way, prepared to slave
Prepared to participate, in saving human dignity
Prepared through their own faith, and nightly prayer
I think these souls are more familiar, with common decency
More than most
For they are heavens army
Standing every post
Bowed heads, accepting handouts
That they return to other starving souls
One by one they build this city
With honor and strength of will
I consider them,
The very best of men
And the foundation upon which other men
Accept gratuity.......

Tony Taylor  (Chicago)