the growing crowd

there used

to be one man, or maybe

two.

either or both

with one

leg,

or an arm

missing,

crossed eyed 

and thin

walking the streets

of town,

in used clothes,

but often with

new shoes.

people are very generous

around here

to the ill

of mind.

they have things

to say.

these men, some women.

and they say it loudly

and with

vigor

to their invisible

companions.

veterans of war,

domestic

and abroad,

they are fed, they have

shelter.

they are always around.

it used to be

one or

two, like ghosts,

everywhere and nowhere

at once,

but now it's a growing

crowd.