Alone

I am alone
I confess it
A secret closely held
And all but little Celia
(Who tells me I am lonely)
Give it not a thought

Yet today in the market
Among the vegetables
Two beautiful little girls
The first in a shopping basket
Whom I invite to smile
Who almost does
A second tiny in a carrier
Pressed close to her mother
Who worries over to tell me
That she’s shy
I beg to differ
Cooing at them both

Two more on line a bit older
Gaily dressed
Each with a Mylar balloon
For their parents’ anniversary
I ask if they will be good to Daddy
And Mommy too one adds
Have I met the perfect children

Finally in the parking lot
A young mother
Struggling to unload
A brimming basket
Of groceries and a pair of girls
Wait till you have three I joke
To which she says
It’s not going to happen
(Pausing) ask me another day
But they are so lovely I observe
And she in agreeing says
Perhaps I should perhaps I should

I depart smiling
From this garden of possibility
Nor lonely either now

No children not beautiful

8/28, 9/1/07, 6/27. 7/1/08

Copyright 2007, 2008 by Maurice Leiter

Posted with permission.