Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Chance Encounter

Walking into the library entry 
my thoughts are on the book 
needing to be returned 
and the new one 
I hope to check out.

But I see kneeling there
a woman who also notices me 
as she tries on 
a discarded pair of glasses 
from the box marked:
"Lions Donations."

Her search much more urgent
than feelings of embarrassment 
so she continues, as do I 
to deposit my returned book 
in the slot next to her.

Perhaps ten minutes later 
after checking out a new book 
on the life of Darwin 
I exit where
she is still kneeling in the entry 
scrounging through the box
trying out nearly every pair.
Alone.

So, with sadness in my eyes 
I pass her by again. 
She looking for better sight. 
Me, for human evolution 
and dignity.


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