And the Taste Lingers

He had not eaten
A proper meal
For several days
His sunken eyes
And sagging cheeks
Spoke volumes

He lacked energy
To even beg aloud
So he just sat
At the street corner
Watching the crowd
Pass him by

An elderly lady
Noticing his plight
Stopped and whispered
Something to him
He looked up and
Smiled weakly at her

Opening her bag
She gave him
a large sandwich
and a can of beer
he was overwhelmed
by her generosity

For a long time
he just stared
at his food haul
before biting into
the sandwich
savouring every crumb

But despite his hunger
he ate slowly and
saved the beer
for another day
he wanted the
taste to linger