A Notice Paid
“J’ai Faim, Merci”
cardboard mess’ges in Chambery,
tattered sleeves and soiled unkempt hair;
Tell me friend, O can you see,
a chalk-drawn note written in despair?
I saw him there,
alone, impov’rished, none to care.
Since I walked with a friend of mine,
not my notice did he fare.
A brother in need, Lord, send a sign!
No steak divine,
was placed on polished china fine.
But from an old, foul bin of waste,
not worthy of spoon or tine,
a spoil’d tomato suited his taste?
My heart abased!
thoughts bewildered, and soul displaced.
Offered to him, a gift from me.
Then said he, (toward me he faced),
“Merci, Monsieur”, and “Merci, Merci!”
