Like a Brother

The night air was frigid, and a shivering shell of a man wrapped in a tinfoil blanket made eye contact with me, his skeletal outstretched hand begging for coins. He was emaciated and in desperate need of a hot meal and a bed. I offered him my coat and asked if I could take him to a shelter for the night. His eyes opened wide and slowly a trail of tears began leaking down his bearded face. I helped him up, gave him fifty dollars, and had him put on my coat while we walked to my car. He told me his name and said I must be an angel sent from God. I assured him that I was no angel, but I did believe in karma, and kindness done for kindness' sake will always come back to bless you manifold, and his grateful smile told me he understood as he shook my hand, one man to another, like a brother. god gave humans souls and yet the gift of free will shapes humanity (Haibun) 8/08/2021 Kindness Poetry Contest Sponsored by: Regina McIntosh