The hot-dog steamed, seemingly
adding to the sweltering heat
already rising from the bustling
streets and crowded sidewalks.
Withdrawing my payment with
sweaty palms, a quarter slipped
from amongst the folded bills
landing with a bounce and then
rolled upon the cracked concrete.
 
Time itself seemed to stop dead
for one long drawn moment as all
eyes followed its haphazard path
coming to its final resting place
by the broken vending cart wheel
they then peered at me as if I had
done some great wrong in letting
it escape from my secure clutches.
 
A stranger nearby looked intently
as we both silently tried to detect
each other’s next move and then
simultaneously bending to collect
the fallen coin, we butted heads
each rising with still empty hands
the sun glinting brightly off its tail
facing us and beckoning skywards.
 
Just then a young boy scampered by
effortlessly retrieving the shiny piece
holding it aloft and taunting me with
his "finder’s keepers" comment which
fell on all ears nearby, ringing loudly.
I caught myself as I was about to yell
thinking that another bad lesson was
not worth the price that had to be paid.
 

07/13/2002

Posted on 07/14/2002
Copyright © 2024 David R Spellman