A Simple Gesture

One day,
An early winter one in particular,
I was in a haven for the poor man
Many come here
Some that can't afford it's amenities in their own right
This place was always dull to me as a child
But I had no choice but to come here on early Saturday, and sometimes Sunday, mornings
Oh how dull it was
The laundromat
Today was no different 
The moms
Having just left their work 
An eight hour day
That was nothing new
The men
Oh they were at home
The long haul of the week had taken its toll on them
Now it was momma's turn
The kids ran, played, and frolicked
Tired of yelling,
She tried to catch them and provide the necessary chastisement for HER child
The woman standing beside my washer was a face I knew somewhat well
She was my neighbor
A member of a huge family
Probably the biggest in my neighborhood
There was so many of them,
It was impossible to know her name
I knew her voice all too well though.
Her nice face and gentle "Hey" was something I could never forget
How could I?
When you're poor and trying to make a miracle out of fifteen cents
It's hard to keep a happy face
So her's had to be special
Rural poverty at the time was at its highest
Me and her both knew that feeling
That's why we were here
I sat down and went into my normal end zone 
I tried my best to block out the childish screams
The "Mama I want its"
But I couldn't help but notice that she was struggling with two dilemmas---
A basket of clothes
Along with a bag full of clothes
I knew that feeling also
For my mother carried the same expression at the end of every visit
Something told me to get up and help her
"Maybe she doesn't need help" I thought
But the good samaritan in me said "Yes she does. Get up and help her"
I looked at her
Her eyes locked on with mine
"Could you help me carry this out to my car baby?" she asked.
That soothing voice ruled out any chances of me saying No.
As if I had any from the start
"I was just about to ask you if you need help" I said.
I really was
I hurdled the basket into the air
Oh I had to show how strong I was
As I made my way through the door,
I held it open for her 
"Thank you" she said.
From then on,
I knew I had done something good
No matter how I may feel tomorrow
Or the day after,
Today I was special
And no amount of money
Or fame 
Could measure
How great my heart felt
When I helped this mother
Through a simple gesture

 

This poem is about: 
Me
My community

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