Member-only story
A Stranger in the Park
Charlie and I were walking in the park.
Charlie is my dog,
and my companion.
It was cold that day.
A stranger followed us.
Charlie wanted to bark,
I wanted to keep walking,
But the stranger followed us.
I felt rude,
so, we stopped.
He caught up and told us his name.
He said he was homeless and
had a tent in the woods.
He did not like his circumstances,
but he did not complain.
I had nothing to give him, no money or food.
I apologized.
He said that’s okay,
“I just want company.”
I stayed until it was too cold.
He petted Charlie, and we left.
The stranger went back to his tent.
I told him I would come back tomorrow to
bring some food.
The next day,
The stranger wasn’t there.
I prayed for his comfort.
That person, no longer a stranger,
but someone to care about.
Patsy Starke 2/14/2025
