Late in the afternoon
at the entrance to the mall
a frail old gentleman
in rumpled blue serge suit
tucks his violin
under his long white beard
and fills the autumn air
with haunting music from
Cavalleria Rusticana
His instrument
almost a part of him
eyes closed against the crowd
he plays for love alone
After a mystical time
the old man stops
picks up his case
tenderly encloses
his violin inside
and leaves a scattering
of silver coins
on the ground behind him
He played for love alone
When Angels Weep (TOPS, 2009)