By Dr. Lawrence Wood

We could tell that Spring was upon us when, seated on our stoop, my best friend and I watched him shuffle passed us. His shoes were so big or so small – we couldn’t tell –  that he walked on the backs which gave way and folded down to expose his filthy heels. The dirt on his body and face was blackened and caked like too much make-up. His hair was unruly and matted and his clothes were equally soiled. We called him John-the-Bum.

He never said a word. He never retaliated, if we made a comment or called after him with some scornful or ridiculous question. In fact, I never heard his voice, but the memory of this insignificant man created in me a (more…)