be careful

the man who lived there,
in this now empty house,
asks me if I can help him carry out
his mattress to a van
waiting out on the curb.
a small boy is inside,
eating from a bag. he doesn't
look up.
the man tells me that he had
to sell the house
because his wife became ill
and died.
you are quiet, then look into
his eyes and say. i'm sorry,
he says, what can you do.
I have to move. my son is in
they car, he says as he lifts
up one end of the mattress,
and I lift the other.
be careful, he says.
the steps.