Hope only needs to exist

He had spent many years on the street

his life had lost direction long ago

having little to eat or drink to nourish his body

seldom having clothing suitable for the weather

as he was more often than not without shelter

the man still wore a smile

the few teeth he still had in his mouth

would show through his grin the age

and lack of care they suffered

but what you could see

in his eyes

you could not mistake for anything but

joy

he was alive

not only in body

but

in spirit

Before he had found himself on the streets

his life had been one of service

it had been a time that his heart and spirit soared

helping others along through life was his passion

he had lifted many out of the gutter

giving them a hope for a better tomorrow

Now finding himself among those folks

living on those same streets

and in the same gutters life brings to many

he saw no reason not to continue

helping others

His body was breaking down

His spirit was as alive as ever

He still shared the hope of tomorrow

with those who could not find it for themselves

He knows that another

will come along

maybe tomorrow

maybe the day after

but another will come along

and lift him out of the gutter