It's wicked to mock the afflicted

Alley Violinist
Robert Lax

if you were an alley violinist

and they threw you money
from three windows

and the first note contained
a nickel and said,
when you play, we dance
and sing, signed a very poor family.

and the second one contained
a dime and said
i like your playing very much,
signed a sick old lady.

and the last one contained
a dollar and said,
beat it,

would you:

stand there and play?

beat it?

walk away playing your fiddle?