Boxes

I kept an 18-year-old
from going to jail today.
The judge and DA couldn't understand
why I put up such a fight.

"It's only thirty days"
they told me. "He can do that
standing on his head."

But this was a good kid
who had never been in trouble
who had a lapse in judgment
and left the scene of an accident
but returned, within minutes.

"That's easy
for you to say,"
I told them.
"But things can happen
to you in jail, bad things
whether you are there for a year
or a day."

I prevailed.

In the lobby of my building
I held the elevator
for a man carrying
a heavy box.
He thanked me
then gave me the once over
him in flannel and jeans
me in suit and tie.