The day had been long

with still much to do

And I was feeling

out of sorts

A little blue

He asked,

if had I fifty cents,

mere pocket change,

This man with no

mask, and I…

the same

I paused in reflection

just having stepped

out of the car

No, I do not think so,

came my response

Well, that’s alright

lovely lady, he replied,

for it seems no one

does, but I’ll get by

And it became quite clear,

an acute awareness-

how close he appeared,

how our breaths could

be one

For he stood very near

I glanced upon his face

a quick glimpse into his

eyes, it did not go

unnoticed, life’s many

weathered lines

Yet, his smile still

one of grace

This man with no mask

and I… the same

I processed it all

for a second or two

and asked, as he took

leave, “how about a

dollar, would that do?”

He smiled once again,

swiftly answered, “why yes,

it really would, I hated to

ask, so kind that

you could.”

Of course, was all I mustered

New perspective gained

And I found myself smiling,

at this man, who wore no mask-

and I… the same.