May I Put You on Hold?

Running errands in the neighborhood on Davis Street.
Hardware store for bulbs, a new tank of butane for the "barbie."
Pet shop for cat food, a few crinkle balls, and a water dish.
On the corner, in a doorway, leaning on the building: a beggar.

Dirty, down, out, needy, unshaven, smelly, poorly dressed.
"Can you please help out with some change for food?" he asks.
In his pocket a cell phone begins to ring. and ring, and ring, loudly
Old fashioned telephone bell ringing insistently so he will not miss the call.

He answers. We keep walking. Next he'll ask for change,
To buy beer, or cigarettes, or drugs, or Twinkies and Baby Ruths.
Maybe to pay for the cell phone bill and a new ear bud at AT&T,
Or to buy the milk his wife just asked him to bring home.