She sat on the grass beside the road,
somebody’s yard, but they seemed to be away,
three or four newspapers scattered.
I didn’t know her but she needed someone.
I sat beside her. She seemed to need mothering.
She nestled in to my arm around her.
I felt her guilt, her despair, her wrestling within.
I closed my eyes looking for words
but as I felt around for them they toppled
from my mind, left me groping to reclaim them,
to find the right ones. I found myself settling
for the hug.