Brother Can You Spare a Bite?

On a slippery Monday afternoon I took a subway home at Dufferin Station. I got on a fairly empty train but still there were no suitable seats available. I looked around and there was that nook available where the train operator has his/her booth. I leisurely leaned on the walls and looked out the first car front door how the train tracks snaked left and right and lit up at each station.  Suddenly, people tensed up as a tall youngish man entered the train and the smell of poverty permeated every inch of the space around me. People always tense up in these situations because they are in general afraid that this person decides to have a conversation with them. Somehow this seems to be the scariest thing for the general population of the "good Christians and believers".

The man quickly started going around with a held out hand. But at the same time I heard, "Can you spare some food?" And this is when I got uneasy. People turned away from him and scattered around a man who was asking for food! I could not believe that this train full of people travelling immediately after lunch hour didn't not carry any crumb of a sandwich or a fruit!!

When the man came to me he was already desperate. He shyly held out his hand and asked for any type of food. His voice was fading when he said, "Please help, I am very hungry". I usually pack a little something to eat after work but rarely remember to eat on the subway. This time I had the most delicious lemon cake that my friend's daughter had baked. This most scrumptious cake I did remember about and had been saving for my trip home.

I looked up from my phone to see this man's hand. His plead for food still resonated in my head.
"You know what? You are going to love this! I have some cut up apple and the most delicious lemon cake!" I was so happy. I don't usually have a lot to give. I am a little person in this vast world. But this time I could give! I wanted to thank this man for giving me an opportunity to be a better person. I took out my lunch container with a big red prince apple cut up in nice squares, took out carefully wrapped lemon cake, made with 7 lemons! And I said "thank you." He thanked me back and quickly sat down on a free by now seat near the exit. The TTC recording announced "Spadina, Spadina Station."

I kept smiling but my thoughts were already at G-7s and G-whatevers that Canada is part of. When are we planning to admit we have a serious problem with poverty!! Why do our politicians think we are the best of the best if a man walks hungry on the streets of Toronto!

I kept smiling, when a light bulb lit up in my head. I reached to my pocket. Yes! Of course! Nobody likes to eat cakes without coffee!!! I took out two coins that were making noise in my pocket and gave it to him. I looked down at my phone again when I felt a hand on my hand. I young black lady who was sitting down smiled at me and moved her head in agreement, as if she was saying, "yes!"  or perhaps "thank you!" Her smile warmed my soul!

What an amazing afternoon it was on that slippery Monday afternoon!! I felt needed. I felt like a person! I felt like a good person!