This afternoon, I was leaving work downtown. I passed a lady looking worse for wear and I deliberately said hello; I always try to do this because it is natural for me. I come from the same place. She had black to brunette hair, malnourished, skin in bad shape. A drunk or junkie I thought. She bummed a smoke, then begged another for later. I understand, she has nothing. Homeless she says. I'm an ex drunk junkie, I told her. AA? she asked. Yeah, many years now. What are you doing here? I work in that building..Dnr building. I used to digitize maps at the Experiment station. What the hell, I said. You sucking them down ? Nahh, I'm a crackhead.

It went on from there, more of the same. You have to clean up I told her; I got lucky, you can too.

I regret that I didn't ask more, that I did not encourage her, push her into hope as people did for me.

You can have a better life,I want to say.

Help her is what I want to do. I hope I see her again ...