She sits on the beach
at twilight
waiting for
someone
anyone
with a friendly smile
and warm words
No one stops
She appears homeless
She made her home
the beach and
a nearby park where
she sleeps on sand
or a bench in the park
with newspapers
over her to stay warm
She works all day
at a sports bar
serving coffee
hamburgers
sea food
She listens to others
works gracefully
showing kindness
and offering encouragement
Her customers ask for her
and laugh with her
and joke with her
She is lovely
so lovely
No one invites her out
They think she must
have a partner
Guys think
she’ll turn them down
Some customers
call her their psychologist
since she listens intently
and offers common sense solutions
This is what
no
one
knows —
She takes food
left on plates
to eat after work
She makes leftover food
last until she works
the next day
She wears colorful clothing
from Salvation Army stores
She makes worn out clothes
look good
No
one
knows
her
night-life
You will find her
sitting on the beach
alone beginning at twilight
No one slows down to talk
She sees herself
a toss away
from three broken marriages
of abusive alcoholic spouses
She makes people laugh
and feel loved
will anyone
sit and talk with her
cry with her
and dream with her
of a new future
Once I stopped
and asked if she could
use a little company
She broke into tears
then said
no one ever offered
to sit with me
I learned her name
Connie
She is a God fearing woman
praying for others
in need
She had names on a napkin
to pray for
She never prayed for herself
Before I left
Connie asked to pray for me
taking my hand in hers
and praying a comforting prayer
As I think about her
tonight
I find myself
praying for her
remembering her holding my hand
I mentally place her hand in mine
as I pray for her
and not for
myself
The Broken and The Holy 