Palm Tree Ashtray

A man stands
outside
a gas station
begging
for spare change.
His eyes
sink into his skull;
his white shirt
is stained
with grease.
I walk up
and hand him
two dull grey quarters.
He thanks me
and tells me
he's been sleeping
outside
for two weeks.
"This too shall
come to pass," I say.
He nods his head.
Two pretty girls
in short shorts
climb into
a brand new car.
The store manager
comes out
and tells the man
to leave.
He walks away
and waves
goodbye.
It's hot out
in the parks tonight;
hot enough
to melt
hope.