I Judged A Man

(Johnny Mullins)



Today I saw some ragged clothes

And I judged the frame on which they hung

There goes a wasted life says I

I'll not waste mine for I'm young.



I know his kind they're all alike

He's from the skid row part of town

He'll beg a dime here and a quarter there

And be in the gutter before the sun goes down.



Then I turned and walked into a store

To buy a book of poems to read

Oh, the best of literature says

I is for the man of higher bread.



Then I saw these words aimed right at me

And it made me sorta hang my head

For I'd turned at random to a page

And halfway down this poem I read.



He sold a row of violents

Along a barren path he trod

That every future passer by

Might view the handy work of God.



He carved a map upon a stone

Placed it on a dessert floor

To show tomorrows dying soul

Where cool clear water lay in store.



And to write here all the many things

He did to help his fellow man

Why it would make a book too long

To read and wear away the poet's pen.



Then I left the store to find that man

Just walk up to him rags and all

And shake his hand and chat awhile

And then I heard an ambulance call.



What happened here I asked someone

Why all the crowd that's gathered round

They said just some old ragged man

From the skid row part of town.



I bowed my head in silent prayer

Forgive me Lord for my idle tongue

Today I saw some ragged clothes

And I judged the frame on which they hung...