A little change

Apr 13, 2023

Do you have any change miss?

He asked quietly sitting on the pavement

With muddy sleeping bag eyes.

His thin clothes hung cold

In the crisp spring morning.

He was young. Not much older than

The son I loved tucked safe in his bed

Sleeping warm through the holidays.

I looked him in the eye. Felt his desperation.

I wished I had a few coins in my big pockets heavy with mobile phone and credit cards.

I’m so sorry. I don’t. My guilt laden reply drops heavy through the distance between us.

He sees my helplessness. And the ground shifts.

He lifts his head and says thank you.

As if acknowledging he was a human being in need was enough to quiet hunger pains.

As if this small second of care was enough to keep him warm.

It’s ok. You’re ok. You have a good day. He nods.

And he tries to reassure me. Wishing me God’s blessing as I walk away.

Featured Image by AR on Unsplash

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