(inspired by Lucille Clifton)
Now I watch myself whenever I enter a room,
I never know what I might do.
I can choose to give money to the boys at the traffic lights,
and the little children and elderly, blind women.
Or I can choose to face front, glassy-eyed,
keep my purse filled with money in my bag,
mouthe “I don’t have anything” or “not today”
or feign searching for loose change when I know I have none.
