A Trip to the City

He lives at the edge of a forest
and loves all the different trees.
He comes to the city for food
and basic necessities.
He hates the long drive
the city even more.

On this trip he crosses
the street to avoid a huddle
of homeless men gathered
around parking meters.

Safe on the other side
he asks himself
do I worry too much
about trees, too little about
people too hungry
too poor to hug them.

Donal Mahoney, nominated for Best of the Net and Pushcart prizes, Donal Mahoney has had poetry and fiction published in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Some of his work can be found by clicking here…