Veteran's Day

This guy, a little older and scruffier than me,

who now and then sits on the sidewalk

in his Army green jacket,

back against the wall,

his damaged leg outstretched,

looking for all the world

like he plays a broken Vietnam Vet on TV,

stopped me after all these years

and asked for a cigarette.

I told him I didn’t smoke.

Then he said he needed $30

to buy a used pea coat before winter.

He said he’d give me $60 next month.

I replied that I didn’t have that kind of money on me.

I walked away.

He hasn’t spoken to me since.