Tonight, I was waiting in
the check-out line of a store,
trying my best to not just look
at the products or the floor.
Two women joined the line
and behind me, took their places.
A daughter and a mother, I thought,
with happiness on their faces.
I am often much too reserved,
so I wanted to give them a smile.
I managed only half of one, unseen,
but it still felt good, all the while.
Next time, I’ll step it up a notch
and give a warmer one, if I can,
for it’s quite unseemly of me
to be such a distant, guarded man.
