i saw him this afternoon
walking
one shoe in his hands

something happened?
i ask

he doesn’t really want to tell

later
the street has slowed down

it’s a weekend town
dead quiet at night
people need to get up early
so it seems

he’s passing through again
this time
without any shoes
only in his socks

the same route
the same quick hi
the same look

like only strangers do
who see each other every day

the only two people
strolling at whatever ungodly hour

nothing to prove

he did say
he starts working soon again

some program
repairing the city’s bikes

maybe soon
it will be only me
strolling through the dead of night

he has to get up early too