You were a gentle soul, br with a stained red plaid shirt, br hat speckled with bird poop, br in saggy-baggy pants that stopped br just above two heelless shoes that were br see-through to feet with no socks. br br So many mornings br I walked by your corner, br putting money in your cup br if only to borrow a smile br when I had none left of my own. br I always knew the one you gave br would be the one that found br those I had only misplaced for awhile. br br Countless times we shared a lunch, br and so did many others, br hot soup from the deli across the street br or half a tuna sandwich from home, br you shared your wooden pallet br but not once a conversation, br and all the while, you never missed a beat br as you continued to pass out br that glorious smile to everyone br who sauntered by. br br I wonder what happened in your life br to make you take up br residence on that corner, br to die cold and alone, br the smiles you apportioned br your only living legacy. br br You will be missed by many, br even the shopkeepers who br so often shooed you away. br I hope you knew br what you meant to me br … and I didn’t even know your name.br br C.J.