To the sidewalk girl

Dear side walk girl, I see you crying. Who cries on the side of the road, if they're not wanting a shoulder to cry on? I see you.

Dear sidewalk girl, let me put my arm around you, the least I can be to you now is human. You cuddle up to me as if it's the kindest thing anyone has ever done.

I hear you, you don't need to speak, just cry. It's ok. We all need a good cry sometimes. I'm sure it'll look better in the morning. I'm here in the mean time.

What's wrong?
You can't even imagine, your only reply.

Dear sidewalk girl, you have the soul-shaking, marrow-wrenching sobs of the broken hearted. I wish there was something I could do, say, that'd make it better.

Dear sidewalk girl, what is your name? Is that an American accent I hear? Where are you from? Are you homesick, sidewalk girl? Me too. Me too.

You clasp my hand as if I caught you falling off a building, and snuggle into me, much like the 4 year old I've just left, when she is disconsolate. Do I smell? Is my breath bad? What can I possibly say that'll ease this beautiful creature's suffering? You hold my waist, and I'm self conscious of my ample girth, but I'm quite sure it's the last thing you're worried about.

I am trying to let you cry, but who am I kidding? I can't be quiet for that long. You don't have to tell me what's wrong, but let me at least regale you with stories, stories of times when homesickness broke my heart, stories of a time when I thought moving to another country was the worst idea ever. Stories of how I lived through the pain. Stories of how you can too.

I tell you of what I ran from when I moved to Laos, and how it followed me.

Dear sidewalk girl, I can't fix it, but I'm here. I can listen, I can make a space for you to cry, I can make a space for you to feel. I can make space for you to heal.

Do I pray? When was the last time I prayed? If God is real, would he even listen to prayer cast up in doubt? Do I pray silently, aloud?

Dear sidewalk girl, I applaud your embracing a perfect stranger so wholly. Everyone needs a bosom for a pillow. Darling girl, are you warm enough? You cling to me as if I'm the only person you've seen in a year. I hope there's someone in your life who cares as much about you all the time as you're allowing me to right now.

You've come here for love? I guess, me too. We all follow love of one kind or another. Where is your love? Are you safe? Can you go home tonight?

Dear sidewalk girl, there is healing in your tears, and there are different chemical structures to your tears, depending on why you're crying. Cry it out. Breathe.

You say you want friends, me too. That your only friends here are some gay males. Will you be my friend? Like actual, I'm not just saying that, I'm also basically friendless here. I think we could be buds.

You say you wanna go home. Home like the USA or home like around the corner? Where is home for you?

Dear sidewalk girl, who is that girl that has fire in her eyes walking across the road towards you? Is this your love? There looks to be nothing much lovely about her.

Here, please take my number, take a lifeline. You can call me any time. 

Dear sidewalk girl, thank you for sharing your heart. I wish you friends and happiness and peace. I hope you call. I hope you find home.