March 26
A KIND WORD
 
I saw her sleeping
in the hospital’s bushes
as I walked by her
on my morning walk
thoughts of alerting security
to check her out
when she shouted
“Hey, sir,” in British accent
“Yes, mam,” I replied
in good mannered tones
that would have prided my mom
“Na askin for money, sir,
but have ya a kind word?”
“Tenderness” I announced
without a thought. “Will that
do? “ Thank ya, sir, lovely,
lovely, have a tender day.”
“Thank you, mam, you made mine
already.”