p e n c h a n t

“Athena and Odysseus” For Tales from the Odyssey by Mary Pope Osborne

acrylic with oil wash on rag board

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Not only do most of us have an abundance of food, we have the teeth with which
to eat it.

The last time I was in Manhattan I saw a man rummaging through a wastebasket on the street corner where I stood waiting for the light. He found a McDonald’s cup, finished off whatever was in it, and as the light changed I stayed where I was.

When in New York, I always carry a satchel with a few survival items for the day—
a manuscript or sketchbook for my appointment, a few writing pens, an apple, an energy bar, a bottle of water. I usually don’t give money to street people; if I give anything, it’s food. I offered the man my apple—a sweet organic Fuji. Appreciative, he shook his head and grinned. I was stunned: his teeth were gone. He explained in broken English he couldn’t bite. “Here’s an energy bar,” I said, pulling it out. “Can you handle that?” “No,” he said, still grinning. “Thanks anyway!” He wandered on down the street.

As the day progressed I discovered I couldn’t eat the apple, and ended up giving it to another homeless man near Columbus Circle, as I made my way to my favorite Chinese restaurant before taking the Amtrak home.

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Map design by John Tauranac / © 1990 Tauranac, Ltd & Artpost