Artist 
by Cristine A. Gruber

for Roman

The artist sits
in the corner booth,
head bowed, forehead furrowed.

His hand never stops moving
as the canvas comes to life
before his eyes.

All who walk past
marvel at his gift,
some placing a few coins

in the donation tin,
others offering
to buy him a cup of coffee.

He graciously accepts
the coffee, secretly wishing
someone would buy him a sandwich.



Found

This evening I found
the time I had lost,

those precious few hours
I so wished back.

They hadn’t traveled far,
just around the bend,

and indeed seemed happy
to find me as well.

They looked a bit older,
but no worse for wear,

having taken good care,
these past twenty years.

But when asked,
“Why now, what makes you return?”

The response was simple…
they’d never really left.