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Julie Rogers

Gray sweats slipping down
his ass bending over
the trash can, throwing cans
over his shoulder landing
just where he aims
near the corner of Harrison St.
where I turn off
the Embarcadero at 1 am
driving home to Oakland

minding his businesson the job when there’s less
competition—it’s quiet—
the bridge lights dark fire
across the bay, the electric skyline
works almost as good
as a headlamp, no interruptions
no people, no cops now—
don’t care anyway—it’s doable

picking through for a few bucks,
dinner with luck and know how
he’s on it, middle of the night,
the Ferry Building past him
he’s made way to this corner.
This man is not a tourist.
This man lives wherever he sleeps
here in town. He’s an expert.

I used to have a pair of sweatpants
like his. I don’t bend much
for a living these days
but still they got worn down
sitting at my desk.
I just threw them out. That man
will never know this poem
is for him. The light changed.
I turned right to the freeway.

4-19-25
for him

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