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A huge woman lounged
on her oversized beach towel,
snacking on french fries and a hoagie.
Gulls stood around waiting
for something to come their way.
She tossed them french fries,
one by one,
and the scavengers gulped them down
amid a hell of a racket.
Some homeless guy
picking in a nearby trashcan
took in this act of charity.
He walked right up to the woman,
who stared with mouth agape
at his boldness.
Smiling, he beckoned toward the fries.
"Get a job, you lazy bastard,"
she screamed as she ran
to the trashcan and threw in her leftovers.
The homeless guy followed quickly
and snatched up the food from the garbage.
"Thanks," he nodded and smiled again.
She turned and hurried to her towel,
to find the ungrateful gulls had moved on.

Copyright ©2006 Keith Gery

First published in "Lehigh Valley Source"