For Charles

I rinsed an apple for
A child who came into the market,  

Thank you,
Sir, they said,
then,

The Apple, turned
Over in their hands revealing a face, which
Winked at me.

The child wasn't wearing shoes.

I wondered where their parents had run off to, smirking.

You're very welcome.

There were three customers behind him,
Irritated, all
wearing
Shoes.

Your feet are really sad, the child warned seriously,

They're sad, ya know? Like

                        Monsters; Monsters
                                          who 
                                   only become
                        Monsters 
                        because they're forced to hide.


The next customer,
Drowsy, and
In a hurry,
coughed a nasty nasty cough,
                                  and

The Apple hid its face again
  in the child's hands.


-JV