My faith in human nature has once more been restored,

And it was no earth shattering event, that done the deed,

It was an ordinary fellow; selling golf clubs from a stall,

Showed kindness that a person seldom sees.

I’d been at a Sunday market, a car boot sale we call them here,

Just to spend a pleasant morning with my wife,

And among the stalls of bric-a-brac, old clothes and pre-owned toys

Was this fellow selling golf clubs and the like.

Well having taken up the sport, I thought I’d see what he had for sale,

Though a One Iron would have met with my desire,

That rare elusive golf club that might help me at the tee.

Though the way I play leaves little to admire.

Well I looked his golf clubs over, and he asked me if I played,

"I try to play", I honestly replied,

He gave a knowing little smile and asked me what I needed,

Then said how hard One Irons were to find.

Though he said he had another set, that contained a Driving Iron,

And I must admit the set he showed looked nice;

He told me they were nearly new, and I had no doubt that this was true ,

Though he was also very reasonable with the price.

"The trouble is", I told him, "I already have a set of clubs

And to buy another set, for just that one,

Well I couldn’t justify it, not the way I play the game;

Hell I can’t recall the last time that I won".

Well we spoke a little longer, then I bid the man goodbye,

And I thought the matter closed, as I recall.

So I looked around the market; trying to find my wife,

And found her browsing on another stall.

But just as I approached her, I heard a voice call from behind,

And I turned to find the man I’d spoken with:

He held the Driving Iron; he had taken from the set,

And said that I could have it as a gift.

Well I insisted that I buy it; after all he’d broke the set,

But he was adamant and would not let me pay,

He smiled that little smile again and handed me the club,

Saying, " go on, it’s my good deed for the day".

Now I’d never met this fellow, until I went up to his stall,

And I don’t know if we’ll ever meet again:

But it was an honour to have met him and my solitary regret,

Is that I never even thought to ask his name.

Now some might say, "it’s just a Driving Iron, a golf club, nothing more,

And though nice, it won’t change life the way we know it,

But it proved to me that human kindness, was still alive and strong,

And better yet, some weren’t afraid to show it.

By S.E.Ralph

25-5-2011