Weeks ago, I was walking
with the river to my right.
Headphones sang me music,
as my eyes took in the sight.
I came upon a young couple
who fished with a 3-year-old,
and I turned my eyes away
from a family and the river; cold.
I didn’t want to be awkward;
I was only a sapless passer-by,
and just as I thought I’d made it
the little girl beamed out a hi!
I waved and smiled back
and said to the child “Hello.”
And I felt a little foolish
for the kindness I oft forego.