A Memorable Person

On a train going south on business For what seemed an eternity, I chanced upon a memorable man Who changed the path of my destiny He was itinerant to look at With tatty coat and shabby shoes, An unshaven face, his hair unkempt And string, as a belt on his ‘trews’ He boarded the train, peoples heads dropped For fear that his gaze they’d meet He walked down the aisle, disappointed, As no-one would give up a seat I offered the seat beside me He thanked me for making the space I replied with a sincere ‘you’re welcome’ And a smile warmed his weathered face He asked me about my journey And I asked of his in return I felt in my heart, that by talking to him There was much about life I could learn I bought us both refreshments As he told of his life’s history, Once in a while I would interject With a small anecdote about me Behind the shabby persona, Was a man of intelligent mind He’d lived on the edge in finance, Made his fortune, left it behind As his bank account grew he’d lost everything His family, his friends, his wife He’d found out, too late, and at great cost That there was so much more to life ‘You have to stop and smell the roses, Make some time for those you hold dear’ And as he spoke, down his rugged cheek I saw the track of a small, salty tear As we reached the end of our journey He clasped my hand at our time to part, He thanked me for my company And told me I had a good heart When I got to my lonely hotel room, I called my daughters on the phone And told them ‘we’ll be together soon I’m taking some time off when I get home.’ Sometimes it takes a chance meeting To give your whole life a shake I felt I had met my ‘Hermes’ And now had decisions to make When I got home, I made a decision The missed years with my girls I’d amend, My life took a different direction All down to my indigent friend You can’t judge a man on appearance But if you look in their eyes you can, I knew in the instant I gave up the seat I had met a remarkable man.