How fine is the line?

This poem is about an actual experience I had, this past Friday in front of a Gas Station.

He had a matted beard

and his clothes
smelled of urine.
Fingers stained with nicotine
nails clogged with
a few years.
His expression was
blank and lifeless.
It was gone.

Spare change?
was muttered,
in an everyday fashion.

Shame had turned
to life.

I fumbled around
in my pocket.
looking for a bit or two.

Then I came across
a five.

It was my five,
I earned it.

But,
I think he did too.

I wondered
when was "he"...
me?

Reviews

[a]

Fascinating! How to story turns around in the last stanza!
Very deep, meaningful and expressive!

"Fingers stained with nicotine
nails clogged with
a few years.
His expression was
blank and lifeless.
It was gone." - these lines are perfect, they say everything about the man you're speaking of, great expression. and "Shame had turned to life" - the breaking point, very well written.
Wonderful work!

"Then I came across
a five.
It was my five,
I earned it.
But,
I think he did too." - this is where the character becomes ourselves, we reflect in him, he - in us. Great!
Thank you very much!

[Red Rose]

i suck at reviews, but i like the way you journalled this little snapshot of the pan handler. it's kind of like it is. no frills.

[Jason]

Genius. I love this write. I love the reference the person you see, really being yourself. Kind of reminds me of one of my favorite writers, Corey Taylor. I really enjoyed reading this, and look forward to reading more from you in the future.