Reaching Out

Did you see the stranger on the corner, hair all gray?

She reached with withered fingers for the child who ran away

Toward the road. The mother thanked her and walked on.

Did you see the mother, worn with children gathered ‘round?

She stopped the teenager who’d dropped his homework on the ground.

He smiled at her and thanked her and walked on.

Did you see the teen who soothed his little brother’s tears,

Who calmed the warring ten-year-olds before their fists grew near

To fights instead? They thanked him and walked on.

Did you see the boy who stopped to give the baby’s toy

Back to the child who’d dropped it? Mother smiled at little boy

And at her babe, then much relieved, walked on.

Did you see the babe who stared into her grandma’s eyes?

She whispered sweet hellos to her while mother said goodbye.

Then grandma smiled while mom and child walked on.