the beggar of bath

The Beggar of Bath


The fountain, outside the bar- in the plaza,
where high spirited people throw pennies
late at night- has none at dawn, but soggy
leaves, ditto cigarette butts and coke cans.

At daytime a well dressed beggar sits near,
the fountain, clean hands he has, looks so
middleclass that people warm to him, smile
and throw big coins into his expensive hat.