Bob Simon
he told
the stories
from the ground floor
not an escalator scraper
or an anchor’s cushion
he stood in the dirt
his boots muddy
his eyes full
of things
he never spoke
his compassion felt
across the lines
the way he gave dignity
to the deprived
there was no difference
between the dignitary or the derelict
he held them with the same gaze
gave them the same billing
he was what a reporter ought to be
humane
(May 29, 1941 – Feb. 11, 2015)
TL