SEARCHING FOR COINS
I watched a little girl looking down on the ground,
Searching for coins she seemed purposely bound,
Her face lit up if even just a penny she did find,
The sight of her stooped body weighed on my mind.
The weather was cold and she was quite ill clad,
I wondered if those were the only clothes she had?
No mittens or gloves graced her tiny hand that day,
But she couldn’t pick up coins, they’d be in the way.
I went to offer her money, but to beg she could not
That was one thing Papa said, she had never forgot,
She wanted gifts for Christmas for mom and brother,
And Bill was doing the same on one street or another.
My heart ached for this family who were trying hard
To get money for gifts, maybe just one Christmas card
Would cheer the day, to find a dime or quarter or two,
I tried to think for this family what I could quietly do.
I pretended to walk away but watched they she went on
Then I saw a boy coming and his peaked face shone,
‘I found a twoonie Betty dear and two dimes as well
And I have almost a dollar’ they were happy I could tell.
They walked for quite awhile to an old tall tenement,
Pressed the fourth button down and in they both went,
I made a note of the name and of the street address,
I would find out more and then as santa go and dress.
People were helpful and there was a great need,
A mother with two young children to have to feed
Her husband was killed and no insurance came,
The landlord was kind and only a little rent did claim.
Mom and two children I told my family that night
And you should have seen the activity, what a sight,
Presents by the Christmas, three they wanted to give,
And get lots of food so they could much better live.
I will leave the ending to your own thoughts today
And maybe find a way to help someone walk away
From pain and hurt and poverty by a small kind act
And as Christmases come and go, do a special act.
(Millicent) Ann Margetson 18 October 2006