The Distance Between

The young woman coughs gently sideways on

her shoulder. Then hands the paper plastic coffee

cup to a customer, who promptly gives it up,

because it was contaminated by a gentle cough.

All as I stand in line doing what of if I please to

spread my own disease. And where is Father Damien?

Who lost his arms, lips and life. By caring for,

kissing, embracing the lepers who were shunned

and disdained by most. But not by Damien,

who held them close to their requisite end.

The distance between us is a fault, tearing asunder

you and me. Please listen…embrace one another or

surely die of loneliness, thirst and anomie.

The customer receives a brand new sanitized paper

plastic cup. Then says she is sorry and quickly leaves.

Leaving behind the young woman; eyes full of tears,

feeling slightly toxic, alone, demeaned. I remain, in need of

caffeine, and finally ask, Are you okay? Then, explain

that a similar thing happened to me and I hate when

people behave in their antipathetic ways. She says,

Thank you Ed, and gives a strained but beautiful smile.

Small everyday events, simple gestures hold us

together and keep us from falling apart. Keep us

from falling blindfolded, deaf, dumb and head over

heel into the distance between us. And, who put it there?