Heart for the Homeless

The Homeless Encounter

We have all been there. Walking in to the library downtown or getting gas from the Broadway Exon. The homeless encounter is inevitable.

The thing is.. how do we deal with it.

Do we smile and use the cashless society excuse of "sorry...no cash...all I have is plastic" then shrug our shoulders as if to say...keep it up there gipper, its bound to work on someone today....

My favorite, till this mornings encounter, has always been.... "Hey what time is it".

What time is it?
For real? Late for a conference call? (harsh, I know... he might need to get to the mission or soup line...) From the looks of you... all sprawled out on that bench with Mad Dog 20/20 bottles scattered all around....Shouldn't it be more like.. "Hey what day is it?"

This mornings encounter has surpassed them all.

I was out for my morning walk around downtown and the time is 6:45am. A new route today. Up 2cnd Ave, right on Church and down 1st Ave. This trek is about 1 mile and all uphill till Church St. Great cardio.

The weather and atmosphere are perfect..... Crisp and cool.... No tourists snapping picks of the Wild Horse... I clear my mind for some prayer time and absorb my Nashville.

Then I see him! Poised for the kill.....

Leaning against the wall just past the Beer Cellar. I immediately take the "don't talk to me" posture of staring at the ground, avoiding eye contact with every ounce of energy my morning coffee has given me....

When......

He strikes!

Like a fat kid in dodge ball. I'm pegged!

Here is how it went down.

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Homeless Man - "Hey bud, How are ya"

Me - "Good, man" (without looking up.. walking faster, now.)

Homeless Man - "Let me ask you something"


I pause and turn with my watch loaded to give him the time


Homeless Man - "What if I took out 3 tennis balls and juggled them while reciting Shakespeare to you. Would that buy me a beer?"


WHAT? I'm sorry.... At this point I stop dead in my tracks and a huge smile creeps across my face.


Homeless Man - "Just stand there and think about it"


I'm shocked, entertained and a little flattered as I turn toward him. Know one has ever recited Shakespeare to me before.


Me - "Bro, I can honestly say... I have never heard that one before"

Homeless Man - "So what do you say? That's a good one, right?"

Me - Its good.....But it ain't that good...

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Turning the corner I laugh out loud and head back toward the office.


I must say. I have never had a heart for the homeless..... but then again.... they never offered to recite me poetry.