Two brown carrier bags - that`s all she had!

                        One bore the remnants of yesterday`s dreams,

                        The other a store of today`s necessities.

                         I thought it sad, and watched a while.

She turned and caught my eye.

Trapped ! I tried to smile - to comprehend

What tortuous path had led her here

Where were those who should be near

To ease her anguished years?

She shuffled towards me,

Tattered trainers, bandage bound,

Grasped my hand in both of hers.

Instinctively I stiffened,

Then unwound and listened,

Captured by her words:

“Don`t grieve for what you think you see,

This is just a shadow of the girl I used to be.

Look into my eyes and see reflected there

A past that dulls the pain through days of care”

updated by @fred-mcilmoyle: 10/16/17 11:28:19PM