Geezer(Herm Sherwood-Sitts) Geezer!
By Herm Sherwood-Sitts


About seven in the morning, the authorities kicked me off the park bench and told me to move on. I’ve been called a panhandler and a homeless lazy bum ever since I got to this place. It would be nice to find someone with a little compassion. I don’t feel homeless, this park is my home!

Moving on, I rummaged through a few garbage cans and a couple parked cars and found nothing. I hadn’t eaten since yesterday morning and my stomach was growling like a bear. About a mile down the path I found a shinny, silver camper. A few weeks ago I scored a jar of peanut butter from one just like this.

When I opened the screen door, I found the unexpected! There were two kids sitting at the table eating breakfast. The little boy froze when he saw me. His eyes were wide open with surprise and his hair stood straight up. The little girl in pig tails gave me a cute little smile.

Their mom was at the sink doing dishes. When she saw me, she gasped and reached for a frying pan.

“He’s just hungry Mommy,” said the sweet little girl. She then slid her bowl of cereal to the edge of the table for me to eat.

As the milk dribbled off my chin, I heard the authorities pull up.

“Geezer! Get your furry butt outta’ that camper! You know better than that!” yelled ranger Bob over the bull horn.

So I backed outta’ the camper and moseyed over to the hemlocks and looked for some berries.

“Geez, what a bear’s gotta’ do to find something to eat!” I said to myself.

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