Beyond the Rags

He stood on the stage
his clothes ragged, torn
Speaking in a voice
tired and worn
 

The lights were dim
just like his eyes
Words of beauty
between the sighs

A hard life lived
beneath busy bridges
Like a stray bat
sleeping between ridges

The truth poured freely
from dry, cracked lips
As he held the page
between blackened fingertips

When it was over
every face was locked in awe
At the dirty man
who'd endured it all

Tears fell at his
mastery of every word
making his bitter story
finally by ears heard