Sleepover in Toronto

From the exhaust of a bitter cold
day, Go-bus passengers
stare at a mixture
of overnight sleeping bags in
random scuffle---

they’re scattered along
the sidewalk, a pile of insulation
zipper-open for quick return.

Hiding our thoughts, we pray those
vagabond warriors are
gathering at local soup kitchens
sturdy and alive
in the wind of snowfall

later chasing loonies alongside
Yonge and Bloor Street, or
maybe visiting a friendly bench at
City Hall Square.

No matter, evening’s chill will remind
the homeless, their only
escape for comfort awaits within
the cloth of snow-bank winter.

© Richard L. Provencher