Muffin

She leaves a meeting with a friend and feels a sense of loss.
Knowing when she said "I'm fine" that truth was totally false.
Lunch was paid for not by her and it brought a genuine smile
Lately money was on the run and her life was in denial.

Frigid temps and not dressed warm brought a shiver to her body.
But all that seemed a bit extreme to the man who sat so shoddy.
She looked at him and saw him shake as he tried to sit in sun.
"There but for the grace of God..." her words were left undone.

Coffee shop full of folks with money left to spare
She wondered if they noticed him or if anyone had cared.
A latte for herself and then a muffin and coffee black.
With coffee and food in her hand she said, "I'll be right back."

Out to the table where he sat in huddle, she spoke to him with ease.
"The coffee has no sugar, Sir. And take this muffin please."
He looked a little surprised at her but accepted what she gave.
She wished him well and stepped away with just a simple wave.

Driving back now to her job and warmed inside the truck
She could taste the salt of tears she cried as her chest began to buck.
Sobbing now all alone telling no one of her break
Always pretending to be strong for everyone else's sake.

She cried for the man who eats the muffin and for the ones who died last year
She cried loss of peace on earth and then for her own dark fear.
Through the good she tried to share - still her heart did weep
For the one she thought she loved the most- is the one she cannot keep.

Loss of life and loss of love and loss of warmth and home.
This is why she cried today- in that truck alone.
By the time she reached her final stop the tears had been choked back
She carved a smile back on her face and approached it all with tact.

Silently she dreams of ways to make everyone okay
But handing out that muffin was all she could do today.
She wipes her tears and fakes a smile to hide her breaking heart.
Thinking maybe after writing this- she'll find a brand new start.