Sidewalk Step

On a sidewalk step

Alone, he sits there

Dirty soles, feet bare

Fine, shortly-cut light brown hair

Taking in the summer air

Easily scared and unaware

No calendar

No real care

What’s on his mind?

Where lies his stare?

Can’t seem to find

A thought to share

Maybe, there’s really not

A thing to say

Because it’s rarely hot

Just enjoy the day

Then came the day

When the clouds turned gray

Intruding thoughts

Slowly encaged

The way he thought

His ability to create

What was once unbarred

Was now contained

Internally distraught

And filled with hate

For what he became

And his loss of grace

That sidewalk step

In his mind, creates

A time of no stress

A true escape

“Give me some advice”

I’d like to say

“How do you sit here and gaze

With nothing to say?

Nothing on your mind. 

Just enjoying the day.”

I don’t think he could answer

He’d have nothing to say

Because things have changed

He’s no longer that way.