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A Different Existence

Story ID:	58
Written by:	Edie Suarez
Organization:	Basics2Bylines - A WNY Writers' Network
Story type:	Diary/Journal Entry
Location:	Buffalo NY USA
Year:	2001
Person:	Person Unknown

February 6, 2001

To see a world, a different world
If only for a minute
To get a glimpse of someone's life
And feel as if you're in it

She showed up by my car today
Just after I sat down
A parking lot was where we were
In the middle of downtown

Shifting feet and trembling fingers
Embarrassed and confused
Apologies were spoken then
"Please don't misconstrue,

I'm not on drugs, no not a bum
A needy situation...
A place to stay...small price to pay..."
Stilted explanations

I felt so dumb, I didn't know
What it was all about
So naïve in my safe world
I made her spell it out

Straightforward plea would mark her lips
Eyes downcast in shame
"I'm begging for some money
I'm sorry that I came"

Yet there was purpose in her stance
Some secret left unknown
An arm waved off, as if to say
I am not alone

For if I was, I wouldn't beg
There's purpose here you know
I can't say what, so please don't ask
"I've said enough, I'll go"

"No wait", I said, I felt so bad
I had to give her something
I wished I had more with me then
To make it worth her pleading

Then she was gone, she disappeared
She left without a trace
It left me feeling guilty
To always have a place

My emotions had erupted
All scattered and abused
My life was full of problems
But of a different tone and hue

To glimpse a world, a different world
If only for a minute
Can make us think about ourselves
What is our purpose in it?

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