on the ledge

i noticed
the other night
that there was a
man on the ledge
of my window
thirty floors up
from 5th avenue.
i opened it and asked
him if i could
help in any way.
i'm hungry, he said,
and it's raining.
a snack would be
nice, and an umbrella.
would you like
to come in, i asked.
sit by the fire.
i'll fix you something
to eat. no, he said.
i'm out here for a reason.
i'm proving a point
about  my life.
i understand
completely, i told
him. i was out there
myself last week.