If you’ll take the time to read this,

I’ve a favor to ask. Could you smile
as you go by? You can’t miss me:
gray hair, balding, gray-green suit, shopping cart.
The front wheels wobble. I don’t drink,
much. Vows taken, broken. Children... somewhere.
Smiles help me remember that
the sky is only dark between the stars.

Nathaniel Kent Leatham