Anything Helps: January 2027

Darby Riley

September 29, 2024

Walking back from the red courthouse,

I duck in the centuries-old 

stone cathedral to meditate.

I sit, spine straight, eyes closed, breathing.

A cell phone rings.  I hear “hello.”

The voice trails off.  At last, silence.

My mind drifts to our new leader:

confidence man, fear purveyor,

greedy Earth-killing clown of hate.

Then a poor man behind me says:

“Hey sir, would you have five dollars?”

Selecting bills, I say, “Here’s four.”

A shy lady walks up and asks:

“Can you help me get a cold drink?”

I grouse and give her two dollars.

Prayer time over, I rouse myself

and head to work, to organize.

Lord, help us to rescue ourselves.

Darby Riley, a native San Antonian, has been married to Chris Riley since 1971 and they have three grown children and a granddaughter, age 6. He has hosted a monthly poetry writing workshop for over 25 years. He practices law with his son Charles and is active in the local Sierra Club.