“The next time, I will help.”
Spare change, spare time, spare myself.
But that time was today. I was silent.
She was loud, shabby and in my shoes
Wearing shoes I bought three years ago
Goodwilled I was when I donated them
Could not will the good out of me today
I told myself, “This time, I would help.”
But she passed.

What courage it took to ask for help
What courage it took to shout your needs
What a coward I was, stunned silent.
I didn’t know her courage
Afternoon A-Train, we are going the same way
Headed in one direction.
Was she here before?
Did her story start on a train?
End with tracks of its own?
What foundation had she laid?
How many failed interviews got her here?
Had she too turned her head to a beggar on the train?
Was she also the same coward I was with change to spare?

Was she here before?
I know her shoes-
She walked more than a mile in mine but I didn’t know her
My shoes.
How long until I am in hers?
She passed. I let her.
She left me without the glance of guilt I already wore.
And she… wore my shoes.
I didn’t speak.
Sadly, I will always have another chance
And I promise myself, “Tomorrow, I will help.”