Sonya Florentino - POCKET

It's obvious to me he's handicapped
That he could go astray
That's why he has a companion
Who walks with him each day

Some people give them strange looks
Some simply go their way
A tall white lad about fourteen
A black woman about forty-eight

I see them in the Upper West Side
A sight for jaded eyes
This woman holding on to this young man
By the front pocket of his pants

Sometimes they'll stop and huddle
He likes to kiss her head
They seem to care for each other
The only way they can

It all seems tender and innocent
The way they are today
But soon he'll be a real young man
Who still can go astray

Today they walk through Manhattan
Not quite hand in hand
She holds on for his dear life
By the front pocket of his pants

Sonya Florentino

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/pocket-4/