Good Samaritan

Good Samaritan

Today's prompt is to write about a family anecdote,  something crazy or silly one of your family once did.  I'm still not sure if this was crazy or just plain beautiful - the family jury is still out.


The young man stands under the shower
Letting the steaming water, and soft soapy suds,
Wash over him.
His head,  neck,  shoulders,
The small of his back,  legs,  toes.
Washing away the stink of the streets
The fear of his vulnerability
The shame of having to ask for help
And being ignored.
This old man,  this stranger
Has offered him crisp white sheets,
A breakfast - full English
A new set of clothes,
A small amount of money to get him going again.
But for now,  it is enough to stand under the shower head
And slowly begin to feel human again.

When we heard what our dad had done
Turned into some kind of millennial good Samaritan
We were shocked,  full of what ifs?
If mum were alive she'd never have allowed it!
Anything could have happened! But it didn't.
This frail old man was good and kind,
Full of faith in the essential goodness of mankind.
This chance encounter,  this simple trust on both sides
Makes me so proud.


© Copyright 2018. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved




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