The guy I just gave a dollar to
is chatting with me.
He’s speaking English,
but between busted teeth
and what I suspect is a drunker slur
so no words are making sense to me.

Still, through intonation,
I think I can understand intent well enough
to smile at the right times,
nod, and say, “that’s rough.”
I want to engage with another human being
but it’s hard
without the common words.

He laughs and goes on his way.
I think we were talking about where
he’ll be able to spend his new buck
but I’ll never know for sure
unless maybe I start using my hearing aid.