And to the homeless man, who likely will not be able to share his story, of providing his last 87 cents to the man who used it immediately to fill his gas can with enough fuel for his self immolation. The homeless man heard the ignition, saw the smoke behind the store.
He looked at me eyes held wide open 'I've done a lot of work in therapeutic communities, but this....' and trailed off.
And I think, the least we can do.
Be kind to the crazed and dazed. The unhinged and confused. It is all of us, a few days deeper into despair.
Maybe be a little anchor in the light. A tiny little place for someone to tie off against, for just a moment, by way of a smile or a word. Maybe.