statement: the only thing she liked

HOMELESS MAN, SAN FRANCISCO, JANUARY 2007 

it's a warm evening sun. rusty orange and yellow. and it fits him. 

he's been at the recycling plant. been paid. his name is stephen. he's from new york. 

he wanders. pushing his cart. walking in the road. he adjusts his pants. he stretches. 

he doesn't trust me and i can't help hovering. i can't anticipate so i just walk up. "can i take your picture?" 

"no!" 

he's firm in that. 

"that's cool; thanks!" i say and head off. 

"hold up!" he stops me. asks, what do you want with my picture? 

i tell him i'm a photographer and such and that i really just liked his eyes. 

"my girlfriend said that's all she liked about me!" he says. 

we laugh.