My father was on his last cents
There was no money in the bank
Or in his wallet
In the morning he fried the remainder of
The frozen meat that was left in our freezer
He smoked his last cigarette as he
Pulled his coat around him
And placed his hat gingerly on his greying head
He walked out the front door
Grim-faced
To the neighbors beside us
To ask for money for bread
My heart wrenched from my chest
As I watched him go