Diabetic

 Toothless, sprawling on the bench
                  chain gumming Jolly Ranchers
        his legs inflated,
                 sores erupting
                 toes gone blue, gone numb,
                 causing him to stumble
                                   in Scarlet runners
        with hands like claws
                 shoveled candies into pocket
                                   grimy blue parka

Eyes like goldfish scanned carriage
                 darting for shred of sympathy
                                   which we withheld
                 furtively spying
                                   this
                                   miserable sucking man.

NYC Subway