Destination Unknown

She stood in the crowd waiting
For a bus
It was cold,
She forgot her gloves,

She purchased
Hot chocolate but it tasted
Like shit , left her feeling nauseous
Wasn't even worth
Keeping her hands warm

Standing in groups made her
Nervous for some reason,
Vulnerable

Everyone around her
Talking, texting, making plans for when
They got to their destinations

When a man stood next to her
Not at all dressed for the weather
Big hoodie sweatshirt,
Shorts, very worn
Work boots that were left untied
He was a large man
His hands raw and dirty
Fingernails too long,
With days of black dirt
Pressed beneath them

He spoke,

(all she could think to herself was, "seriously"?)

She wasn't really paying attention
She hoped he would just move on
He spoke louder
Making her look up into his face
His hair white
A five o'clock shadow that was
At least three days old
Cheeks flushed from the cold,
Nose dripping, lips dry and cracked,
His blue eyes crowned by heavy brows
Trying to hold her gaze
Long enough to get an answer,
But she didn't know the question

He smiled
Teeth, the ones left
Brown and decaying

She was hoping
She had the answer he
Was looking for,
She slid her hand into her pocket
Pulled out
The few dollars she had left
And tucked them into his hand

He looked at her
And smiled wider
She smiled back

Bowing his head toward her,
Stepping away
Spoke the only two words
She understood,


"Stay Beautiful"


JeJe