Marcia Whitney-Schenck, Chicago
I met a man walking on a
dusty road in the Congo who said:
My mother is sick
and a baby is coming,
and I have no money
to go to school.
"Nor do I have money," I said
The car is broken
I have no hope
and I know you have
money at home.
"I have no money," I said
"To send you to school
or pay your bills
or pave this road."
Why, then, he asked, did you come
if you have no money?
"I came," I said, "to walk on this
dusty road with you, my friend."