Rich For a Day

A man with no more than a hole in his pocket The clothes on his back and a picture in a locket Propped up some cardboard in a dim alleyway When a stranger came up with something to say He wore a suit and tie with a leather briefcase And a thoughtful, yet mischievous look on his face “I’m tired son, money has led my feet astray. How’d you like to switch and be rich for a day?” There must be a catch but with nothing to lose They traded everything, right down to the shoes He spent the day walking and looking around He kept his head up instead of down at the ground He smiled at strangers who in turn, did the same Not turning away at his sight, in pity or shame He asked for directions even though he wasn’t lost Just to see who would answer without an accost Walking tall all day counted the people he did meet And not one, today, avoided him by crossing the street He went back to the alley where the rich man said he’d stay He said, “So chap, what did you do while rich for a day?” He peered in his wallet and thought hard for a time “You had this all day and you didn’t spend a dime?” As they swapped back their clothes, the poor man explained “You have all this money but are exhausted and drained. I didn’t spend a thing but cleaned up in these stitches, I experienced a different kind of wealth and riches No one saw me and assumed I deserved shame and neglect I walked around today and was rich with respect I didn’t try to get ahead using money or power Just happy not to have to beg, head hung in a cower.” He gripped his locket and thought of important things And knew he held close what really pulled the heartstrings The rich man nodded and shook the poor man’s hand Perhaps he’d been living with his head in the sand The next day he went back but the poor man was gone All that remained was the cardboard he’d slept on And a locket from a pocket that escaped from a hole A picture inside of a woman that warmed his cold soul He decided to use his wealth for more than his greed And never turned a blind eye to someone in need He began to see people in a much different way And perhaps it was himself, who became rich that day