I SHOULD THANK THEM

She's the gal who greets me

at the deli counter.

She's the mother who cuts my hair,

while I look at her sons' pictures taped to the mirror.

He's the guy at the post office who sells the stamps,

weighs the packages, thanks me for coming.

She's the woman at the library

who checks out the books.

She's the lady who runs my credit card

after I fill the car with gas.

We have no connection,

except this brief time.

But I look forward to seeing them,

sharing brief conversation.

We talk about the weather

and about the work.

I ask about the kids

and about the cancer.

Since we are almost strangers,

we are safe with one another.

We have other lives in other places:

Spouses, children, loss, joy, struggle, pleasure.

But here, now, there is only welcome and kindness.

Here we let the rest go for this brief fine moment.

I should thank them.

Gary