Save the Strangers

You asked for a hug

which is one of those ordinary things

that strangers should share

but don't

because strangers are terribly busy

being strangers

I managed to be extraordinary

for a moment

managed to put aside

the strangeness of the moment

and give you an honest hug

or a half

I pulled away

too soon

pulled back into this stranger self

before you were done

before you got

whatever it was you needed

And you stumbled

like I let you down

which I did

so I apologized

apologized for being so strange

for not being enough

I thought to ask you to dinner

when I got home

to ask you about the children

they pay you to save

the little strangers
demanding to be fed