Liberated by Generosity

Today was a turning point
in my life and at my age
the day should merit at least
honorable mention. My strictness
in money matters received a shock
which cracked and shook
my basic principles. Brought up
on a tight string, I grew into
the habit of denial, resisted
the seductions of credit,
I paid or went without. To owe
money came next in the book
of sins to coveting your
neighbor’s wife. But today
in a hardware store I bought
a saw and was a dollar short
in payment. A stranger tossed
a dollar beside mine and said,
That will do it. When I asked
his name he smiled and said,
Pass on a good deed, walked out.
Here I am the owner of a saw
on which I owe money I cannot pay
and I feel liberated beyond redemption.
I wish you all such generosity,
may it fall like rain into your lives.