The Price of Dignity

He is young
Baggy shorts and a O.U. cap
Standing by a BMX bike
Next to a downtown pay phone
Asking me
If I might have a quarter

His face yet to feel
The years of weather
worry and whatever
Chemicals on the mind
Works the angle and
He hears the pocket jingle
Before asking for
Whatever I can afford

Use it while you can
I suppose
Just know
That you've ruined it
For the next grifter
Over a meager score
And it won't be long
Before everyone can smell
Your game
From two blocks away