A poem, from my favourites by Carolyn which to me epitomized everything about her as a poet, but more so as a human being.
REGRET
Why I did it, I don’t know
Tornado of regret tortures my heart
On a moonless night,
he approached
Limping toward me as I pumped gas
Why was it fear and not compassion
With which I greeted him Surely homeless,
he must have slept
‘neath stars Society’s outcasts camp on the beach,
Crossing the coastal highway
only under night’s cloak
Deep lines on his sun-aged skin
Bespoke many years, perhaps 70 Dirty clothes tattered,
barely covering his thin frame No,
I have no spare change No, no,
I won’t help you
I just wanted him to go away
Disappointment filled his eyes
He turned and hobbled to a nearby bench When he sat,
I was horrified
All his possessions lay beside him
on the seat
An old Army cap he pulled out And placed it on his head
He fought for our country
And I could not find a few dollars to help As I drove away,
I burst into tears Feeling ashamed,
disgusted with myself Only two blocks from home,
I turned my car around But he had moved on.