Monday April 7th 1997 2:09AM
My Lucky Coin
My neck ached as it baked in the heat of summer
as I slowly walked the crowded sidewalk
looking for my lost lucky coin.
I scanned the ground and bumped into a runner
as she hurried past determined to stalk
that thin group she wished to join.
As I continued my search
I heard a whistle from somewhere above
but dared not look afraid of maybe missing my lucky piece.
I walked passed a church
where a beggar begged on the steps for love
that was too expensive for the passerby's and the watching priest.
Again I heard the whistle but
dared not let my sight stray from the street.
I knew my lucky coin just had to be somewhere near.
A small dog limped by, its bony gut
growling with hunger for a master with a treat.
But it ran from a baker's touch, trembling with suspicious fear.
As I rounded the block for the second time
I passed the dog the baker and the beggar
begging as the church bells chime.
Between the chimes a soft melody finds
its way to my ear like a silky feather
that teases and tickles my mind.
I finally free my eyes from the street
to find the singer of that song from above
and noticed a star shining beneath a window.
I walked towards the star, urging my feet
to hurry afraid it might fade because
I'd waited too long to notice its dim glow.
As my eyes carefully climbed up the hot brick wall
they rested on a brown bird's nest neatly
tucked under a white window ledge.
Within the twigs there wasn't a star at all
but my own lucky coin was secretly
guarded by a singing sparrows hedge.
Suddenly there was a thunderous
noise as the dog also found the sparrow
and barked like an out of tune rock band
and something so very wondrous
passed- as the sparrow flew like an arrow,
the coin escaped and fell into my hand.
The dog went on his way,
cringing from my thankful hand
and I began to walk towards the baker's shop.
It was now late in the day
and a breeze had cooled the land.
As I pushed open the door my coin felt hot.
I looked down into my palm
thinking maybe it was a star
but saw only my own lucky charm.
I felt suddenly calm
as I leaned on the bar
and gently tapped on the baker's arm.
I ordered some sweet bread
and waited for a minute
till the baker returned with a bag.
The sweet scent filled my head
as I slowly peeked in it
and placed my coin on his table rag.
The scent seemed to fill the entire street
as it trailed me to the church door
where I saw the beggar was fast asleep.
I quietly knelt down by his feet
and placed the bag on the floor
then covered him with his own gray sheet.
As I turned to leave
I heard the old man stir
and stopped at the corner to observe.
It was late in the eve
and the only sounds were
those only summer nights can reserve.
He awoke with a yawn
which melted into a smile
as he inspected the bag by his leg.
The bread nearly gone
he rests his tired jaws a while
when suddenly a small dog comes to beg.
His rest interrupted
the old man sighs
and reaches for the last piece of sweet bread.
His heart uncorrupted
with caring eyes
the old man feeds the hungry dog instead.
With a newfound friend close by his side
the old man returns to his dreams
where I'm sure the small dog will join.
A familiar warmth fills me inside
as I realize, odd as it seems
on the ground, near my foot... was my coin.
(
geocities.com/tokyo)