A Christmas Crackhead

 
On a trail in the park
the crack whore begged for help
Two days  
and she'd fuck dog  
for the price of a pipe
 
She needed food  
clothes for winter
and a safe place to hang out
but it was too crazy  
to think about now
when they were chasing her  
all over town
 
I could trust her on that
as sure as the cuts and burns  
down her thighs  
might cry and lie at the same time
the shameful and the shameless
plainer than Christmas lights
always hurting
dreaming of her ten minute high
 
If you were homeless  
for more than a year
started at thirteen  
just like Mum and Dad
If your brothers and sisters
were all in care  
and rehab said  
you'd never want to quit
not even to be with your own daughter
what would you do
when all you have is a body like mine
What would you  
fucking do?
 
She could dazzle a man alright  
was still somehow a thing of beauty
but I had an answer
I knew she wouldn't like  
and realizing we were both  
as helpless as the moment  
the universe had thrown us together
I turned  
and ran
grateful for a comfortable life