GOOD SAMARITANS

The first snow of the year falls on her cheek, her eyes stare beyond us

(struck dumb and useless for all our sophistication).

A motley group of youths are gathered round her now, some gathering up her spilled shopping, the oldest one  -  aglitter with nose-rings, ear-rings, eyebrow rings  -

starts to apply mouth to mouth resuscitation; until finally, exhausted and realising it is useless, simply cradles her in his arms until the ambulance men arrive, when he hands her over  -  and her dentures from his pocket.

Then off into the blinding snow,

with the taste of death on his lips.

her cold flesh
touched
by his living warmth