To the Man Walking on the Grass Between Gutter and Sidewalk

You remind me of the 80's flick token Chinamen
with a badass moustache and long black hair
showing off nun chuck skills in action flicks,

only…

30 years later
after a failed life of crime and three kids
pushed him into working a third shit factory job.

Now at 8am, walking home feeling freedom's
sunlit dewy grass on the heels of his shoes, conflicted,
still scorned from never finding easy living.

I want to live one day as you do,
to know if that's pain
or contemplation on your face.

And now you're promised decent pay
by a company that hasn't given a raise in six years
or paid taxes in five.

Nothing trickling your way but higher bills,
worthless health insurance,
and a bank that wants their house back.

They redistributed your 401k…

I hope you're not offended,
I don't know you...
you're probably not Chinese.

But I envy that strength I see in your face,
even if it's just in these fifteen minutes
found walking home on the grass
between gutter and sidewalk.