The omnipresent sun beats down, sending slivers of light falling through a tree.
Rollerbladers weave in and out of stationary cars like eels in the sea.
The power walkers are out in force but their look is not one of contentment.
Heading North on Collins Avenue
The muggy afternoon air drifts into the crowded sidewalk cafes and bars
where the young, bronzed and trendy sip cocktails openly on view to passing cars
and music from a myriad juke boxes echoes out across the pavement.
Healing North on Collins Avenue
Traffic moves at a snail's pace
The traffic shifts forward a little, we cruise idly on down past 32nd street.
There he is, clad in.dirty blue jeans, shirtless with faded loafers on his feet.
A khaki bag over his tanned torso, my eyes drawn by his sudden movement.
Heading North on Collins Avenue
Traffic moves at a snail's pace
Looking out through tinted windows.
Pausing he thrusts his right hand deep into a metal garbage can, rummaging
His prize is a takeaway carton, no doubt already mouldy and festering.
Sitting upon a mailbox he pulls open the lid and surveys the content.
Heading North on Collins Avenue
Traffic moves at a snail's pace
Looking out through tinted windows
Seeing without being seen.
He pokes around, eats a little, then replaces it in the same garbage can.
I wonder if he once had lived another life, not that of a beggar man.
Passers by seem unaware, hurrying past, or turn their face away in disgust.
Why can he choose another district, one more befitting him, it's so unjust.
This part of town sees itself as a haven of pampered dogs and opulence.
What I've just seen encapsulates late 20th century indifference.
4/24/2026
The Words That Got to Me
weave in and out of stationary cars like eels in the sea. *Oooh! Very vivid! His prize is a takeaway carton, no doubt already mouldy and festering. *Oh my; this one's so good, it made my stomach lurch! This part of town sees itself as a haven of pampered dogs and opulence. What I've just seen encapsulates late 20th century indifference. *Perfect summary
Suggestions / Possible Tweaks
The power walkers are out in force(,) but their look is not one of contentment. *Punctuation Nazi reporting for duty, Sir!! and music from [a] myriad juke boxes *the brackets [ ] mean "delete , clad in.dirty blue jeans, shirtless *"clad" indicates 'dressed in clothes,' so then 'shirtless' seems out of place. Maybe: shirtless but clad in blue jeans and faded loafers? Why can he choose another district, one more befitting him, *Did you mean 'Why CAN'T he...?"
Very cool read, Bernie. Thanks to you acute "noticings," I now feel as if I've visited this place!!