WATCHING THOSE WHO WAIT
Awhile ago I had some time to wait at an airport terminal,
It was frustrating and I hate having time to have to kill,
So I started watching people who were waiting too,
Some where quite happy, others angry and rather blue.

The bus terminal too was in the same general location,
I wondered first about everyone’s different destination,
An old lady knitting baby clothes as happy as could be,
Going to visit relatives a brand new baby then to see.

A hungry looking student, a pile of books and gaunt face,
Looking at the clock, wanting it to increase it’s slow pace.
A business man spaces up and down ready to have a fit,
Goodness knows how on the plane he’ll manage to sit.

There is a family excited, looks like holiday bound they be,
Off to some big city or maybe to play quietly by the blue sea,
An old man clothed in black, tears running down his old cheek,
Going out to a funeral, or back home some comfort to seek.

Strangers all of them, each in a different world of their own,
Could I offer the student food to help until he arrived home?
A bottle of juice and a sandwich brought a grateful smile,
Then go and chat with that sad old man for a little while.

Ask the old lady how many grandchildren she had now,
And see the joy shine, it’s fifteen, let her pictures show.
Then soon time will go by so very fast, time you did not kill,
But with a little compassion that precious time you did fill.

(Millicent ) Ann Margetson June 2, 2002