I met this man the other day
Along my way.
His face was tired,
His shoulders slumped,
His countenance, shy.
He wouldn’t look me in the eye.

It was a business call. I was there to help.
Yet I made chatter
About small matters,
I noticed a keyboard in the hall.
“Do you play piano?” I asked.

His shoulders squared,
Hope rose in the air.
He turned his face,
His eyes met mine.
Oh! The shine!

“Yes, I do,” he replied.
A moment of silence.
I could see on his face
He went back to this place.
A young boy, at six of age,
Where he found his song,
He discovered his stage.
The chords,
The keys,
A sweet melody.
Harmony. Passion. Soul.
His heart was whole.

I met this man the other day
Along my way.
His shoulders steady,
His face was kind,
His countenance, aglow,
He looked me in the eye.

It was a business call. I was there to help.
We said our goodbyes,
“Thanks for your help, will I see you next time?”
I smiled, “Of course!”
I shut the door.
The tears, they came
As I walked away.
I wondered just who had helped who that day,
When I met this man
Along my way.

January 2021.