Nameless Stranger (a rensaku)

Stray dog barks at road Not just any vagabond Children run to look Patches on tatters Holes through dusty shoes and hat Walletless pockets At the edge of town Lawmen watching his approach Might just have some fun Did you hope to pass Without giving up some gold This here's a toll road Empty palms up shrug Silent universal sign Mute baffled and broke Show us some I D Any kind of credential Utility bill A scrap of paper Turned to lace at the creases Kept under his hat Like a stinking fish The two deputies watch him One grins other frowns Hey wait a minute Don't I know you from somewhere Famous for something Crowd gathered like clouds Spatters of recognition Fall on hunched shoulders Whispered names thunder Shower of accusations Lightning in his eyes Rogue preacher wizard Winds of change at his command Simply vanishes A gasp from the mob Read the paper that he left "Will haiku for food"