Anna's Billable Hours

"Wise men count their blessings, fools count their problems.
But you're both of them to me..." -M. Franti

Little Anna,
drawing hair on a turkey
behind an empty pastry case
at Anthom's Diner,
tries to give me two pieces of candy.

Sweets must be to children as good
as vegetables for older mothers,
or intimacy for those in between.

For kindness, I take one piece,
which has since melted
across my phone,
disabling my ability
to reach you.