A Christmas Tale

Like a cloud of wispy mist

She walked along the busy street,

now filled with Christmas shoppers.

I thought how thin

and hungry she looked.

Her clothes bedraggled

and unsuitable for the bitter

cold of a New England winter day.

In the air the melody of familiar  Carols

The old lady with the Salvation Army

kettle was blessing those who donated.

She was closer now

how young she looks

her thin face

has beautiful big blue eyes.

Now standing by the coffee shop

she holds a sign.

Hungry and homeless please help.

Guilt overtook me.

I was shopping

for an expensive Christmas present

to give my daughter.

It did not seem important anymore.

I looked again and recognized her

She was by

the cinema line the other night.

she then had three children with her

her note then said

help us we are hungry.

I put down my croissant

no longer hungry.

No longer into

the greed of Christmas.

I took the money

I had saved for my daughters IPad

and thrust it into her hand.

Still feeling sad and inadequate

I turned for home

and wrote this story.