ENCOUNTER ON THE STAIRS

Next to Children’s Hospital, in a hurry

Down the stairs, two at a time
Slowed down by a family, moving slowly
Blocking the stairway, I’m in a hurry
I stop, annoyed, I’m in a hurry

Seeing me, they move to the side
A woman says softly, “sorry” in Spanish

I look down in passing, there’s a little boy
Unsteady in gait, holding onto an arm
Head shaved, stitches in scalp
Patch over eye, thin and pale
He catches my eye and gives me a smile
My walk is slower for the rest of the day