helping a poet who helped the old

I was standing in line at the library today

when this gray-beareded guy in front of me

dropped his books (luckily, within the

hardcover)

and as he bent over

I saw how difficult it was for

him

and I said, "wait let me read

them..."

but as I read them

he dropped his pack of cigarettes

a classic red, Malboro

pack

and I finished his books

then went for the cigs

following the old boy

as I smoked one of them.

he couldn't speak,

he just left his stuff on my hands.

then he turned

forward.

I stood behind him praying, and waiting

my turn.