Empathy
written by: Valli Henry-Boldini
He sits on the cold pavement in dirty blue jeans, worn shoes and a torn grey t-shirt. His belongings in two small black dustbin bags behind him. A battered coffee cup in front.
“Any spare change?” he implores. No-one takes notice.
He recalls his journey and hope for a new life. First the bombings. Destruction. Lost family. The Beatings. Desperation in that overcrowded boat. Fear. Hunger. Rejection. Shame.
***
“Please can you spare some change,” he asks.
Tired green eyes look up imploringly. He accepts my tuna sandwich, bottled water and some money.
“Please tell me your story,” I ask.
Head bowed he cries.
I sit down beside him and wait.
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:
I was inspired to write this story having worked with the homeless in the past.
More recently, (before the Covid situation) I stopped a few times and spoke to some homeless women and men to empathize and let them know someone cares about their story. This piece reflects in short, those encounters.
- Precious Moments - November 4, 2024
- Family Business - June 13, 2024
- Recurring Fragments - December 4, 2023
