Poetry Corner Sunday Morning

I always seem to stumble upon certain poems at exactly the right moment in my life. I was just going through the mounds of old bank statements and elementary school report cards (yes, I still have them--is that weird?) that have accrued in the bottom drawer of my desk, and I found this poem given to me by my dear friend Cal during poetry class my last semester at UPS. We had been asked to bring in some of our favorite works to share with the class, and this was one of Cal's. It's extraordinary. 

five-story house in laleli 
by Gisela Kraft

one lies in rags on the street
and his stomach is empty
and he wishes for death

one sits with friends at tea and backgammon
and his mind is empty
and he wishes for death

one sits in a straight-backed chair at a desk
and his bank account is empty
and he wishes for death

one flies back with food in its beak
and its nest is empty
and only this one says
we should give it another try