Monday morning commuters
Wrapped in layers
Of wool and polyester
From China,
Spill off the train
At Grand Central
Like grains of rice
From a busted bag,
Rushing everywhere
And nowhere...

Can you scan me through
Sir?
She queried, a flicker
Of hope in her weary eyes
I'm trying to get to
The homeless shelter.

Was it a lie
Or a ruse?

Was this brown-skinned woman
With a mole on her cheek
And a flicker of hope
In her weary eyes,
An artist?

Wary eyes trained to detect
The giver within
And among a bustling throng
Work-bound,
Bearing finite degrees of discretion
In their wallets and purses...

Her pleading brush chose me today
As I ran up the stairs
Strides fueled by Maze...

Spirit stirred by Saint Nick...

I succumb,
Granting her wish
At the turnstile...

As a few men in blue
Huddled nearby
Cradling morning brews
From Dunkin...

~ P (#asfrh)
(11/25/2013)