not what we give…

an old woman
embarrassed
but
desperate
whispered
from
a night
darkened doorway
for
alms
our guide
noted
how humiliating
this was
for her
but
assured us
as he stepped
away
from her
that
in his country
people
look out
for
one another
unlike
where
we
came from
it was then
i recalled
lowell’s
vision of sir launfal
and tho
i had little to offer
i had much to share
and shared
the gift
i had