I was walking through the city streets
When I saw a black man
With long
Greasy dreadlocks
And a sag in his pants
His huge sunglasses
Drooping low on his nose
He keeps walking
No notice to the world around him
His dark braids
Swaying in the cool summer breeze behind him
The gold chain around his neck
Thumping against his chest with every step
Thump, Thump, Thump
Rhythmic with every other heartbeat
When he stops suddenly
Shoving his hand into his pocket
To be engulfed by the fabric
His hand rummages around for a second
He brings it back out
Along with a couple twenties and tens
He takes a step towards the torn-up man
Homeless with nowhere to go
His feet and hands battered and worn
The man hands him at least one hundred dollars
I see his face brighten in delight
As he thanks the man
I walk slowly past
Walking slowly forward with a new perspective
And diminished stereotype
Of a different race