Beggar

You see me
on the street, in the street
part of the street

You only spare a dime
when you could spare a quarter
and you only spare a smile of pity
because you can't spare one of love

You get a cheap sense of charity
I get a cheap meal
And you think "poor thing--but beggars
can't be choosers"
And your words are filled with truth

You beg for happiness, fulfillment
yet you only get glimpses
Still, beggars can't be choosers

I choose to live minimally
to strip money down to food and shelter
and value smiles for so much more

Beggars can't be choosers,
but I'm not the beggar.