Beer money

I had not seen the old man

who lives on the other side of the park

since last Autumn.

Today, while walking by his house,

he called from his porch.

I walked over to say hello.

He removed a blanket from his lap,

showed me his leg was gone,

said he could not trim my grass any more.

I said rest and heal,

listen to your doctor

and especially, your wife.

He apologized – I said it was okay

and felt guilty, because when he’d come by

and asked to trim my grass

for beer money his family would not allow

I knew I was part of his problem

and was not a part of his solution.

6-17-23