Hanging from a cart

An everyday shopping trip
with a little boy dangling from the cart,
which his mom pushes carefully and slowly.

"Why can't I have junk?"
the boy asks in protest.

They disappear to another isle.

"Oh, cheese puffs!
Why can't I have  cheese puffs?"

Minutes later the boy is still fearlessly
Hanging face-forward away
Slightly outside of the cart.

"I want to be a skeleton for Halloween!"

That's the last I've seen of them.
But I bet the conversation repeats
over and over again.

"Why can't I have ... ?"

The most beautiful part
Is the mom's love
patient
quiet
caring.

Untidy Chairs

On my weekly routine
here at Packed Coffeshop.

Heavy bag in hand,
coffee almost spilling,
looking for a seat.

Four men get up
from one table.

Untidy chairs,
but an open table.

Trumpets in jazz music,
never stopping.

Who sat here before?
Business people,
friends catching up,
studying students,
...
a poet?