The clatter of coins as the purse upends
And the rush of feet moving away
A few coins hit the edge of a drain, but stay
Then a hand stoops to gather odds and ends
Clumsily scooping from the ground
Before shyly extending towards a stranger
Gratefully received, a shining smile
Begins to grow and grow
A surprise mixed with gentle joy
Spreading slowly across the face
Reaching through the empty metro space
Until it is mirrored upon another's face
Both stand, foolishly grinning
One bobs their head up and down in thanks
The other bobs their head in no problem
Each pleased at how this simple moment
Has transformed into a shimmering pause
A brief respite on calm, kind shores
Then, it is time
Pulled back into the river of movement
They reluctantly drift apart
Only a few crumbs of a smile left
Falling as the distance increases
Fading as they return to it all
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