I didn't have much in my basket <br />Some veg. some bread, a magazine <br />It was bucketing outside <br />and my feet were damp and cold. <br />At the pay-point ahead of me <br />were two overalled workers <br />each holding a loaf of bread <br />and nothing else. <br />I felt discomforted <br />knowing that inflation meant <br />that their loaves of bread <br />now cost them as much <br />as not too long ago <br />when they could have bought a loaf <br />and some cold meat <br />or a piece of fried fish for their lunch. <br /> <br />They'd paid for their bread <br />and were about to leave <br />when I noticed a roll of liver paste <br />on the counter <br />left behind by someone else <br />whose money hadn't quite stretched <br />out enough.... <br />Before I could think I picked it up <br />and called them back <br />holding it up and asking <br />if they would like it? <br />They laughed; thinking I was joking <br />(why is giving sometimes more <br />painful than receiving?) <br />so I hastily asked the till checker to ring it up <br />on my bill and give it to them. <br />They laughed and I laughed <br />and in that moment <br />we were one <br />and happy. <br /> <br />I wished I had given more..... <br />I could've bought them <br />a whole chicken <br />perhaps some milk <br />and fruit.... <br />all my bills were paid <br />and I had a full tank of gas. <br /> <br />For the rest of that day <br />and long into the night <br />I was haunted by the sad reality <br />that they are only a small representation <br />of many such workers <br />whose lunch each day <br />is just a simple loaf of bread <br />And nothing else.<br /><br />Margaret Kollmer<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/daily-bread/
