Dusted My Face

*
[REVISED]

There’s a tuck shop on the ground
floor of Kingsley Building - the lady
seemed to have suffered delayed bomb
shock, her eyes were dead as if the end
of the World had already happened
before I first went in there

Today her demeanor is changed, it struck
me so forcibly this week, I’ll have to ask
her what happened, I can’t put my finger
on why or when though now it is quite
some time since I lost my fear of
going there

She reacts with a new smile on her
face, it is simply marvelous, I wish
I could make this into a good poem
because the delight is so great, I suppose
it will have to remain a diary note as
no intrigue of grand expression easily
presents itself

And it was so kind of her to clean
my face!

*
[ORIGINAL]

Life is full of mystery, a tuck shop
a lady with a despondent face, the
end of the world, I decided to stay
out of her way, not to buy anything
in such a sad atmosphere

One day without thinking I bought
popcorn from her and she smiled,
now when I see her, she enquires
about my health, if I carry a book
she wants to know what I read

Passing with the crumbs of an illegal
pie on my person she dug in her bag
for a tissue and dusted my face, I left
laughing, delighted by her attention
her tuck shop changed into a haven

I told her I am looking forward to going
to heaven and she declared happily
there still is some living to do, she
is changed so much, I cannot
believe my own memories!
*