One Step

One step, one step

That’s all they cling to

Backs formed into the shape of commas

Weary from the heavy burden of grief

Eyes sunken into a sea of wrinkles

Dimmed from the inescapable poverty

Smiles mere shadows of their sunny past

Aged with the inevitable loss of hope

Arms stuffed into frayed pockets

Shamed from having to ask for handouts

Bodies pressed up against one another

Eager to attain their only meal of the day

One step, one step

That’s all they cling to

That’s all we cling to.