The Desire To be Understood

The old woman selling hardware did
Not have a clue about
What I wanted to
Buy. Yes, I was
Desperate. The word
I wanted did not come when I
Needed it most. “Uhh,”
And frantic pantomime and gesture
I did my best. She looked at me like I was a crazy
Man, Lunatic as I may be I still had to have
What she was selling. A
Thought occurs. Drawing at outline in the dirt
Between us with a stick. After she finally knew what it was,
I sighed and she breathed. Money left my hands and entered
Hers. “Relief” in the eye of the beholder.
How human the two of us
Are.