How Much?

How much do you remember Of that fleeting conversation, Between you and that old lady, While waiting for the bus? How much? How much do you recall Of her appearance- her face, Her classic make up (or was there none), The pattern on her head scarf, The style of her clothes? How much? How much does her voice Ring in your ears, the clear southern vowels, or the rolling rhythm of the north, or was her accent more, Was she loud or soft spoken? How much? How much shopping had she, How many bags, cans of food, Boxes of tea, tins of biscuits, A newspaper maybe a magazine, Enough for just one or more for one more? How much? How much time did she take, hobbling up the steps of that old bus when it came, the bus that was her's but not your's, All her unnecessary apologies? How much? That old lady died next day. And no one knew till this day. How much do you wish that you had asked her name? How much do you wish you had offered to escort her? How much do you wish you had made her a nice cup of tea? How much do you wish you'd bothered to help? How much do you wish you had not just idly pitied her? How much?