He arrived at the end of the day
Or rather, I did
All was done,
Right through night prayer
The day had been examined and found wanting,
But it was at peace.
Late I arrived at the coffee shop,
The grande one
For a hot chocolate to warm up
A cold evening.
He was there, in an easy chair
Holding a life that couldn’t be easy
Old and cold and wearing a warm knit hat
He extended his hand
as if we see each other daily
(And perhaps I should hope that we do).
He said something indistinct, through thickness
And I responded as indistinctly myself.
I complimented his hat as I awaited the cocoa
And he asked me, he asked me
After a further exchange for a sandwich
“You want a sandwich,” I responded readily
Surprising myself, “what kind?” Ham and cheese, he said, but
Turkey and cheese had the advantage of presence.
I bought it. He accepted it. He offered me “how much?”
I asked him to enjoy it; the chocolate came,
I turned
Toward the dark and the cold and two women
Thanked me for my ‘kindness,’ asking me if I know him,
“I do now,” I offered and I had to smile.
I was lucky he was there, no?
All day at a church, and up the street
He came in blessing to visit me
This winter night.
The Man gets around,
Thank God.
~ JPM 2/5/18
Believe it. 