interesting response. for the record, i guess my "bottles" would be soda or seltzer, but more likely cups of coffee. (i don't partake of alcohol, if that was your implication.) as an aside, i think it not very civil of you to suggest that i would be come a drunken sot; you really know nothing of me and my life not to mention my spiritual fortitude in the face of adversity.
the other interesting part of your response is that i do, in fact, the very thing you suggest. i do acknowledge folks "on the street". i do not offer words of cheer; those sentiments are usually the last thing a person on the skids wants to hear; it comes off callous on the cheermaker's part. instead, if i don't merely catch their eye and nod in acknowledgement, i listen to their plea (or more often their con line) and reply simply, "i cannot help you". The meaning behind my words is that the best person to help them is themselves, especially so the further down they have fallen. it is a credo i live by myself, and i have accepted very little help getting to where i am, and what help i have received has almost always been repaid as best as i am able. i do not believe in handouts.
all that being said, the intent of my original comment was not as much to do with the subject or even the content, but more in the way in which you have presented it. if, as you have said in the response above, you are relating this tale so that readers will feel the needs of others, perhaps you could make more of a point addressing those who do not feel your subject's needs. perhaps write about those who do not take notice. it starts to remind me of the song by the Pet Shop Boys, "the Theatre". Not much in the way of peotry, but:
http://www.lyricsdepot.com/pet-shop-boys/the-theatre.html
in parting, i would like to point out another line in your comment above.
"Not having material wealth is one thing, but having a feeling of lon[e]liness with no one to share your suffering is an agony in itself."
Basically, you are sayiong that misery loves company. I always found that to be a selfish sentiment to harbor. if i am miserable why would i want anyone else to suffer the same? just so they can feel my pain? to what end? so they will help me? PAH!