
She squeezes a note into his palms
I watch, wondering how he feels
Scrubbing dirt to make ends meet
I see the humiliation in his eyes
As he adjusts his cap to block off sunshine
And prying eyes
It’s a stage
And not a fate
One faltering step after another
The financial cripple gathers courage
To wobble and finally walk
To earn one’s name with respect
One must learn to sow success
On barren hills
Drawing from depleted wells of courage within
To water wilting efforts
