The lone lady-of-the-night in the cold

One very cold night in January a tragedy I did see,

Someone needed to help that girl, but that would not be me.

I wonder and worry to this very day

Why did I not stop but just drove away

Leaving her there apparently alone

 To uncontrollably shiver all alone in the cold.

I knew why she was there and I did not dare

To partake of her wares or get caught in the snare

Of a pimp who only thought of gold.

She looked so young as to her jacket she clung,

However, warmth from it was not to be, for she wore it you see

So the johns to be could see the beauty there to behold.

Her skirt was hitched high and her neckline was low

As she stood at a corner under a street lamp’s glow

There for any john to see as she shivered and shook in the cold.

My car was warm and she was cold

Five minutes was all she would need

To get herself warm away from all harm,

Except for that one man’s greed.

Away from the scene I thought of her plight and in the mirror a coward  I see.

Someone needed to help that girl why could it not be me.

You did the right thing my friends all said

As I told of the flight I had made

Just think of the trouble she could have caused you

If she claimed you must pay what was due.

Even though you objected and your innocence proclaim

Her pimp would have been there to support her claim

The loss of your money might have been the least of you pain

And your attempt at kindness a sad tale to be told.

Where did she come from and how this life did she start

Came into my mind and would not depart.

My guilt it remained as it does to this day
As I think of her standing there shivering uncontrollably in the cold.  

03/05/05

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