Little elderly woman
at the street corner stands
waits for the light to change
approaches a young man
may I escort you to the other side?
why thank you young man, she replies.
Upon the other side be reached
little elderly woman thanks him
young man blushes his simple gesture
for it was only given
she smiles he nods
they carry on their way
one sun upon them shone
unveiled for all the day.
Little elderly woman
at the street corner stands
waits for the light to change
approaches a young man
may I escort you to the other side?
why thank you young man, she replies.
Upon the other side be reached
little elderly woman thanks him
young man seeks from her a quarter,
she’s affronted sadness brims
oh no she says, and why would you ask
for recompense that your offer masked?
Little elderly woman
at the street corner stands
waits for the light to change
approaches a young man
may I escort you to the other side?
Why thank you young man, she replies
Before the other side be reached
young man snatches her purse
thief, thief, someone stop him,
to bystanders she beseeched
he races they watch — which is worse?
he’s left her there to chagrin
This poem illustrates the three phases of Moral action - Good, morally neutral, and Evil. As I learned from studying Immanual Kant, good is a pure means, while evil is simply a means to an end. When a good action is intended for gain but to none effect, it becomes morally neutral. Be hot or cold, not warm.