Almost home from a very
long walk.
had to cross Summit Parkway, with the traffic light.
Saw a little girl whimpering,
lagging just behind her father,
who looked angry—I thought,
only my presence kept him from grabbing
her roughly and dragging her across
the median bawling. I stayed
back as they crossed in front
of the stopped east-headed traffic,
and then the west, relieved
when the little girl ran and threw her arms
around the waist of a chubby woman who’d just walked up.
“Thank god she has her mommy now!”
I thought as the man approached,
wanting to say to him
(as if I rightly comprehended the situation):
“Be kind to yourself, sir, so that you can be kind
to your precious daughter!”
