When I was younger,
while our family was boarding
a crowded train,
I remember my mother talking
to this desperate stranger who
was asking for help.
The man, apparently got mugged,
and had no tickets back home.
So he asked if he can pretend
to be part of the family for a few minutes,
to avoid being thrown out of the train.
My mother gave him money and tried
to hide him from the ticket inspector
to no luck.
Caught, yet grateful, all the
man said was "Thank you ma'am"
And in those weary eyes I saw hope
from my mother's kindness
How I've grown up trying to
imitate her empathy
