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The other day, a young man approached me,
Obviously of Middle Eastern provenance,
A proud people who now like pepper on a dish
Season Europe: versed in the western conventions
Of humanity, who made bold to request
The means to live whenever the opportunity
Availed - here a direct transfer of spare change
Merely to sustain life as it happened.
I was taken aback, but came round quickly
To see the dilemma posed by his plight;
Then thought, a pound coin too meagre; five
Would seal the promotion to paper money,
Sufficient for him to accept and quickly pass on –
So I withdrew my wallet, not without noticing
Peripheral public attention occasioned,
And handed him the fiver calculated to suffice.
To my surprise, it was regarded as an opener:
He had not only transport and food to consider
But a mobile phone pay-and-go to top up,
And would I consider a further… at which point,
I was alerted: it was not in my remit
To provide comprehensive cover for his needs,
And to his face pronounced blank dismissal
Of his further demand: sorry, no more.
He did not press his case, but sublimely
Attributed the failed outcome to the will
Of his all-powerful God, who both had used me, and
Now ensured my refusal to his further demand
To cancel the merit earned, with a sure foreboding
Of evil consequences upon me, one that fulfilled
The case for justice; whereby he could leave
Quietly, drawing a draught of satisfaction.
For my part, I reflected, street beggars by custom
Receive alms in small change from the occasional
Passer-by; never do they express it insufficient,
Pressing one for more, but allow one to pass on.
To solicit someone for alms without a licence is
Illegal, it would occasion chaos on the pavements.
His intention disavowed, who would then move
On in the shadow of his Divinity, to strike again.
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