Step. Drag. Step.

There had been no sun
The day long.
Dense storm clouds
Dominated.

Minutes before full dark
An old man
Trudged
The broken sidewalk
Before stores bright
In neon signs
And florescent lights.

He tottered along

Leaning upon his drugstore cane.
His image reflected
Upside down on the wet sidewalk
Rainbowed in neon beer
And lottery jackpot signs.  

He did not pause

To glance into shop windows.
Head into chest
Ragged hat tugged low
Jacket shrugged tightly
Around his frail form
He continued his path
In faltering tread.                                                                                                                                              .
He took one step.
Dragged the aluminum cane.
Took another.
Step. Drag. Step.

Nobody knew
About the Bronze Star
And Purple Heart
Tucked into the bottom
Of his sock drawer
In his one bedroom apartment.
Nobody would care.

Security cameras monitored

His slow progress
From several posts
Along his way.
But no one was watching
The old man.

The rain grew stronger.
The old man grew weaker.
Turning the corner at the light
He was swallowed in the gloom
Like he never existed.

But nobody cared.