Another Good Deed.... Poem by RIC BASTASA

one night
the stranger
arrives in your
house

you serve him
rice and fish
a glass of
water
and ripe mango

he is one of
those that
to your mind
time has left
behind

you watch him
eat
he must not have
eaten for
days

he will be
sleeping in your
house tonight
and it will be
nice

his haggard face
his failing sight
his trembling
hands
his tired feet
shall for a while
rest

as you enter your
room
before you sleep
you face yourself
in the mirror
you shake your hand
and smile....