A Man and His Dog

THERE IS A MAN AND HIS DOG IN THE ALLEY
THEY'RE SHARING A BITE TO EAT
A CARDBOARD SIGN IT LEANS IN THE DOORWAY AND READS:
I AIN'T HOMELESS, I AM FREE

BUSY PEOPLE WALK BY ON THEIR LUNCH BREAK
THEY LOOK BUT THEY JUST DON'T SEE
WITH A PHONE IN THEIR EAR
THEY CAN'T EVEN HEAR
THE SOUNDS THAT MIGHT SET THEM FREE

A POLICE SIREN SCREAMS DOWN THE ALLEY
A COP GETS OUT WITH A SLAM OF HIS DOOR
HE SAID A MAN WOH MATCHES YOUR DESCRIPTION
JUST ROBBED THE WEST SIDE CASH AND CARRY STORE

YOU'RE MISTAKEN, I'M AFRAID SAID THE OLD MAN
ME AND MY FRIEND, WE HAVE NO NEEDS
WE TAKE LIFE AS IT GOES, LIKE A FLOWER WHEN IT GROWS
LEAVES BEHIND ONLY PETALS AND SEEDS

THERE IS A DOG ALL ALONE IN THE ALLEY
LOOKIN' FOR A SCRAP TO EAT
A CARDBOARD SIGN HAS FALLEN IN THE DOORWAY
NO ONE EVEN BOTHERS TO READ