It’s a sweet autumn day,
The sky is bright and blue,
Leaves dance in the breeze
As they bid the world, “Adieu”.
As I drive down a busy street;
I spot a man I’ve seen before.
He uses an old, brown suitcase as a seat
While he watches the empty sidewalks
And all the cars speeding by.
The golden sun shines brightly
On his tired, weary face;
His old lad cap pulled down low,
He certainly looks out of place.
I’ve seen him time and again–
Lad cap, tweed jacket, old leather shoes.
What brings him here, day after day?
Lost youth, lost love…too much booze?
I wonder, also, about his old travel gear
He keeps so close at hand.
What’s inside that he holds so dear
And takes with him wherever he goes?
What is it you carry with you?
Memories of days gone by?
Is it all you have left to your name,
To hold till the day you die?
As I continue rolling past
The man with the brown suitcase,
I think about my own life;
Will I be there, too,
At the end of my rat race?
Note: I composed this quite a few years ago. I came across it when I was looking for something to read at a local poetry slam.
