I walked along the ill-kept streets,
As heavy dusk began to fall.
I now wished I hadn't worked late,
And had missed the last buss call.

This wasn't a nice place to be.
With all its glamour, lights and noise
Downtown is not the kind of town,
That makes someone's heart rejoice.

Defensively I hastened my steps,
When I caught the old stranger's look
But he was quickly beside me now,
He's most definitely a crook.

He looked into my eyes hopefully,
I flushed and tried to pass him by.
"Please, a buck to last the night, ma'am."
I heard the old beggar man cry.

'Oh Lord, I thought, he wants a drink,
I will not condone such a waste.
 That hungry look was there again,
I mustn't anger him in haste.

His coat was torn and soiled with sweat,
Like his hat was years out of style.
That hungry look crept back again,
Not softened with his toothless smile.

"Oh Lord, I prayed, within my heart,
He means to rob and strangle me
What other reason could he have?
To smile at me, threateningly.

"Oh Please lady, I mean no harm,
The old beggar cried out in fear.
I'm just hungry, cold and fatigued,
To be standing all night out here.

Suspense gnawed at my trembling soul,
The man reeked of old ancient sweat.
Where's help, I thought, if I should run,
How far from his reach could I get?
He sensed the fear within my frame,
Still he pleaded, pushing his luck.
"Please ma'am, you've a good home and job.
All I'm asking for is a buck "

On the darkened pathway we stood,
A scared woman. desperate man.
I had thought to escape scott-free,
I've not a cent to give old man.

He said in voice heavy with pain,
"Sorry lady, I thought I'd try".
He turned, walked off into the night,
His rejected form made me cry.

"Oh lord, I'm lucky to be me,
But I'm thoughtless not to thank you.
I can't confess this brother's mine,
Tell me My Lord, what I should do.

" LORD, I prayed in the heart of LA,
What do you want Lily to be?"
And a Voice in my heart whispered,
"What you do to him, you do to me."

I ran to that brother of life,
Took his shaking hand into mine.
Looked him over a full minute,
Before saying, "Where shall we dine?

His grateful smile warmed through my heart,
But then his smile faded away.
"Sorry, But I've nothing to wear,
Let us make it some other day."

"Don't worry, the place that we'll go,
Will not mind your new clothes at all.
We'll stop home to freshen you up.
Father left clothes in the front hall.

Once he was all shaved, washed and dressed,
He looked as nice as he could be.
I'm sure if I found him a place,
He'd be a real pleasure to see.

That was a night so long ago,
I love recalling it to mind.
Since then Hess died, gone to Our GOD,
He's told HIM of my being kind.

Many nights, since then, have I roamed,
More than once I've given a hand,
But the time I treasure the most
Was when God made me take a stand.

Now I'm older, but not wiser,
I live in the heart of the city
I walk with bags on my shoulder,
And watch young people race past me.

Each day gets worse than the last one,
When I feel sad, hungry, or low
I think back when I missed my ride.
And God walked with me down Skid Row.

Written by  Lily Therese K.  
Used with Permission