" 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 class
They are giving way to human nature,
They will not grovel, they will not beg
But, they will, wait for darkness, to rummage through
The garbage bins
For they would rather give way, to their hunger
Rather than 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 the 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,
Fast, more than most
For, they are heavens army
Standing every post,
Bowed heads, accepting handouts
That they in turn
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)