On a twisting road behind me

Full of stones and pits

I spot a lonesome hobo

Who looks pensive as he sits



He sits on a clean-shaved stump

And opens up his shoe

And empties it of dirt

While his toe is peeking through



I walk the path back toward him

Under a canopy of trees

That I've enjoyed on other days

When I didn't have miles to seize



His hands were folded in front

A dark wool cap pulled his head

It looked like he needed a bath

And to sleep in a real bed



I towered over this bum

Ready for his pleas

And felt a little like the Lord on High

With people on their knees



I nodded as he spoke

Still fastening on his shoe

I propped my foot on a high flat rock

As if his answers I already knew



I could have had it made

Depression was in his words

If this or that would've happened

Instead of what he deserved



And there's my kid in Maine,

And the job I lost back when

I almost started to tell him

I didn't have anything to lend



I grabbed a leaf before me

As the fastened branch snapped back

I told him he could follow me

If it would help him get on track



Now he was standing up

The sun was hazing down

He stood before me in silhouette

And he seemed to share his frown



I'm as smart as you, he said

Barely lifting his head

A little bad luck is all it takes

And you could be me instead



By his tone he was offended

By the judgment I had placed

And as he turned the shadow cleared

And I was looking at my face

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