before the light changes

can you spare

a dollar

the woman says

on the corner. she's

wearing a wedding

gown while

holding

up a cardboard sign.

and playing

the violin. it reads,

veteran, handicapped,

pregnant

with five

children, homeless

and no job,

no car.

no prospects.

gluten allergies,

and lactose intolerant.

i reach out to hand

her a dollar,

but her phone

rings,

and she tells me has

to take the call.