The Scout

I was watching television

When the doorbell rang.

A boy was at the door

Asking if I wanted popcorn.

I told him I had high blood pressure

From years of salty food.

He blankly stared with

His pencil to the clipboard.

In that brief moment, however

My own youth started coming back to me.

I remembered asking neighbors

If they needed shoveling –

If the grass could use a mow

Or their dog needed walking.

I saw myself struggling,

Barely making money

For dates, college,

And everything between.

The boy asked

If I was still okay.

Blinking my eyes once or twice

I said yes and bought 200 tins.