Hi Hi Hi Hi Hi Hi Hi Hi Hi Hi Hi Hi Hi

“Hi!” She is about two, round face, enormous brown eyes, pink snowsuit. Running around Starbucks, while her mother is getting things settled at a table. Some patrons look amused, others do not look up. How they cannot look up into that adorable face, I have no clue. “Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi!” I cannot write anything; I am too fascinated, watching people’s reactions And non-reactions, which are still incredulously difficult for me to understand. She is an angel, spreading joy. An older gentleman looks up and glares at her. He had shuffled in like a walking apology, Head down, walking slowly, bent over like a broken willow in pain. “Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi!” she says cheerfully, standing at his table. He ignores her, and she puts her chubby hand on his knee. I am ready to run over and save her if I have to, as her mother is still busy Putting the new baby’s seat into a booth, and arranging blue blankets. The old man looks down. “Well, hello!” he says. “How are you?” He smiles. This hello had changed his entire demeanor. Pink snowsuit giggles. She turns and walks to another table, satisfied now. “Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi!” When the older gentleman leaves, he stops by and says something to the young mother. I hear her say, “I am glad she was not a bother.” “Quite the contrary,” he says. I watch him straighten up his back in a military way and walk out proudly. Written Jan 14th, 2019 Silent One’s Poetry Contest - Hello