glued into my mind

that day
I smiled briefly at a stranger
his sad green eyes searching for truth
black and white images
are forever glued into my mind
after reading that evening’s newspaper headlines

he took my hand and said with tears
streaming down his face
thank you for this moment of kindness
today is the last day of my life
your smile brings me now a glimpse of heaven

before I could respond
he moved aimlessly away
and lost himself in the crowd

"among the tourists this afternoon
a man with emerald eyes dove over the bridge
plummeting into the thrashing river below"

glued into my mind
[2007.9.6...a]