Homeless in Headlights

What does he want
when he holds the placard
to his chest in the cold
what does he want
from the dark faces
behind the lights
that will not meet his eyes
as the stream of cars
turn off the freeway
and into the city
rushing to meet
other lights snapping and bristling

How long has he been standing there
was he born homeless on that spot
under the november sky
will the snow lay him down to rest
when all the lights have passed him by

or

Will all the lights crash
into one another
as one of them
jerks to a halt
next to him
near the kerb?