She heard the footsteps from behind
The panic gripped her, froze her mind.
Afraid to turn and face her foe
She took a breath and let it go.

Streetlamp ahead, a haven of light
Fear moved her feet, try as she might.
Behind her steps kept coming faster
She knew her pursuer would surely outlast her.

She ran and ran then had to stop
She couldn’t go on, to the pavement she dropped.
Approaching shadow she felt her fate,
If only her bus had not been late!

She looked up from the sidewalk to meet his eyes
Was so surprised to see his size,
Small boy he was, wild-haired and in rags,
Warily he approached her and held out a bag.

“Excuse me lady, but you dropped this back there”
He was just a small boy and he even looked scared.
She burst into tears and held out her hand
His skinny legs trembled while there he did stand.

He gave her the bag, and into his hand she laid
A fifty dollar bill as the price she had paid.
Her fear was unfounded, the money he deserved,
As he thanked her and left disappeared round the curve.