It's just dawn and my shield is not yet raised
A cold front blew through an hour ago
Blowing over my garbage can and scattering trash
Just as I finished gathering the detritus
The garbage truck is rumbling down my street
With only a single, frantic man dumping the containers
It's below freezing with heavy horizontal wind-driven rain
The worker is wearing only flip-flops, jeans and a very wet t-shirt
Running, hauling, lifting, dumping, returning, freezing, repeating
I caught his eye
And shrugged my shoulders
"What in the hell are you doing?" I chastised
In turn he shrugged his shoulders
"I'm picking up your trash
These clothes are all I have" I thought he said
Anticipating the weather conditions
I'd dressed in layers
Before stepping outside my warm, dry house
My indifference barrier still not activated
I am shocked at the situation
Pain and empathy seize me
I gave him my sweater
And my favorite rain coat
And returned to my home
When I crossed the threshold
I burst into tears
Later my heart returned to condition normal
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