Nicoleta

You exhale desperation,
murmur syllables like
a sigh. Tears cut a path
down your cheek,
breaking at your feet
upon ground parched
for compassion.
I beg you, tell me the story
sliding down your face.

Cum te numesti?
Nicoleta, you say, startled

to be no longer a beggar
but human, fitting into a plastic
bag the weight of your griefs.
The handles dig into your hand
with each step, reminding
you that this is all you have -- this
and a child to feed, he your only
crumb from the family
scattered behind.

I hug you good-bye
but am suddenly turning
back, pulling from my bag
a loaf of bread and two pears.
My hands are all that can
speak to you. Again I pull
your life into my arms,
willing upon it mercy for this
road of unforgiveness.

I glance back to watch you,
but you are already staring
after me, holding your white
bag. You wave and keep
looking over your shoulder,
like one peering through
the dusk after fading light --
but no longer are you
alone in the dark.

Someone knows your name.

Comments

  1. CarrieSeptember 25, 2009 at 10:20 PM

    My dear girl - I was there - I saw Nicoleta's tears - I felt the compassion of your heart - I heard the simplicity in and the profundity of the question and the startled hope in the response - I saw the love in those hands that gave so much more than bread and pears - I felt the joy in Nicoleta's waving - and the tears come from somewhere so deep within me - Oh Lindsay, you are a writer! Thank you Lord for this unexpected blessing today. May Your love continue to be made manifest through the work of Lindsay's hands. May hearts be filled with the startled hope and love that comes from the compassion of a heart filled with Your love. In Jesus Name. Oh Lindsay, you have blessed my heart yet again! Thank you. I love you.

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