In sadness sunk
Raged, regret -
Firing bullets at the open air,
Spitting fire into the freezing wind,
Harpooned by every passing person,
And forced faceless fear into a trembling voice
A timid thing, half-wilted down.

To meet one given hand
Proud with patience,
Crowned by this glowing act
Of harmless help,
Though I were kissed by that kindness
Fast though it fled,
Fast as flame I hold it in,
Loved by a gesture
Pitied without a please.

Rewarded by grinning,
What gold to give
That is, gold in memory,
That heart, gilt in gladness,
That smiled selfless
On one so sunk in sadness,
Loved by a gesture
Of harmless help.