This Happened to Me Today

This is not about poverty.

no more chocolate

I told her

i've had so much over the holidays
i can't eat anymore

She laughed
Sympathetically
We went back to work

Excuse me,

said the man
shivering
his nose buried in a towel
his jacket stuffed with paper
and trash
for warmth

Do you have any bottles?
I could take them off your hands, if you would like.
I'm hoping to make enough to buy a sandwich
for supper tonight.
The depot closes in ten minutes.

She went and looked
I invited the man to take a seat
Then went back to work

sorry
i just have these few
but they are something

He beamed at her

You're too kind, thank you.
I'ts a dozen more that I didn't have before.

His eyes
fell on the chocolate
with a thud

I'm sorry to ask this,
But those are my favourites.
I've imposed so much already,
But may I have one?

We nodded
and with a polite eagerness
he took only one
and closing his eyes
smiled, and was quiet.

No, I shouldn't,

He laughed
after I asked him to take them all

They're not very healthy,
And would rot my teeth.
Thank you
All the same.