What Goes Around

What Goes Around

Coming out of the all-night Adult Fantasy Store
Secrets in the bag in my hand,
A young black man crossed the street,
Hailing me to wait, before I drove off.
I waited.

In civil tones he told me his short tale
A flight from the city of Despair
Just down the road;
Running towards hope out to the 'burbs with his son,
Of the effort that it cost him to escape.

Now he works night and day
To stay out of that city;
But after the rent's paid, well -
Time to bite back the pride and ask strangers like me
For small handouts, to buy a meagre dinner
Alone in the empty hours.

I gave him what I could,
He thanked me with rare grace,
Affirming his faith that no good act 
Goes wholly unnoticed.
That the good you spread around, 
Comes back around, someday,

I hope he's right.
I hope he and his son survive.
I hope whatever Fates were watching
Will spare me the share they gave to him.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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