The Guy Down in the Hole

We were walking down North Clark Street
It was a little after three
When a fragrant, mangy wino
Came up to pops and me
He said I need some Change for coffee
In a way I thought was rude
But my dad gave him- a couple bucks
And said get yourself some food

I laughed at this encounter
And said Dad, you're an easy touch!
He's just a lazy vagrant
And you just wasted- your two bucks
But he grabbed my arm with fervor
As he looked me in the eye
And said Life's hard- when trouble hits you
One bad break and there go I

Some days life is a blessing
Others days life is crap
One day you're eating pork chops
Next you're foraging for scraps
Everybody's got a story
And it's a truth you need to see
If it wasn't for the grace of God
That drunk there could be me

Right off I was assuming
Those two bucks went for some booze
Or perhaps a pack of cigarettes
Would be what that bum would choose
But that really doesn't matter
Was what my dad would say
You never know when it's your time
To help someone find their way

Now I try to be more generous
But I've got a lot to learn
I know that I've been lucky
But I also have been burned
Working hard will get you someplace
But there's stuff you can't control
So I try to keep a couple bucks
For that guy down in the hole