I gave away the porkchops,
But what else could I do?
My heart was touched; had you been there
You might've done so too.
I stood in line at Safeway
Behind one bent and gray.
She was counting pennies to see if she could pay
For chicken wings and butter, catfood and some bread.
"The catfoods for the strays that come,"
the shaky voice had said.
"Will change from this buy me a cab?"
she asked showing her money.
Counting it, the cashier stated,
"I'm afraid not, Honey."
"Shall I put back the cat food,"
the clerk asked with concern.
When she replied, "The Butter,"
My face began to burn.
'Twas then that I first spoke to her,
"Can I give you a ride?"
"Why yes, that's very kind of you,"
the humble voice replied.
I placed our groceries in the back
As we got in the car.
I asked the lady where she lived.
She said, "Not very far."
A silence fell, and then she cried.
She told me I was kind.
That young folks who cared for the old
Were very hard to find.
She spoke of age and loneliness,
And husbands that had died.
She talked about inflation versus
Welfare and her pride.
She told me that she used to walk.
A man had snatched her purse.
And then he kicked her half to death,
Which made her fears much worse.
We reached her house.  I got her sack
So empty by my four.
'Twas then I quickly grabbed the chops.
I could have given more.
I placed them down beneath her bread
And took the sack inside.
She asked me if I'd stay for tea
And gladly, I complied.
I know with time, Lord willing,
That I'll be old and gray.
But I'll still feel the same inside
As I do today.
I'll have the need for people.
I'll need the warmth of heat.
I'll want to be of value.
I'll like the taste of meat.
But will these things be out of reach
Because the costs are high?
Will my hours be so lonely
That I merely wait to die?
I gave away those porkchops,
But Friend, now do you see?
I looked ahead, and saw instead
Someone who might be me.

jennifer grant