Before

before he walks in
I know
he's there

clothes rumpled
from sleeping
on the ground

odoriferous
not that clean
outdoor smell
yet that too

days of beard
bag tucked behind
one leg
shouts
mine

hesitant eyes
search mine for
hope
pushed aside
by affluence

a mumbled apology
sideways glance
the step and slide
in reverse

but this time
is his time
before