Margaret Alice Second (24 January 1961 / South Africa)

Too tired to check and edit, watching an episode
of the Secret Millionaire, an old lady dancing and
laughing with joie de vivre - ignoring a diagnosis
of cancer, an old age home and minimum wages,
a caregiver who loves it when her back breaks at
the end of the day

An undercover hero arriving by bus, staying in
an uncomfortable caravan - washing his clothes
by hand, people of Cornwall opening their hearts
and inviting the stranger into their homes; my
heart melts as it delights in the goodness of
small lives, people doing their best

This is what gives humanity zest, the wonder
of people serving each other, lovingly feeding
the elderly, dancing to forget pains and aches
of old age - this is my only goal in life: to find
happiness in little things, see beaming smiles
and feel my heart melting

I cannot stand the ice-cold stone that forms
in my chest when my feelings are forced
to bleed to death…