A Kind Thief

Slinking up fire escape steps for a thrill,
A burglar, he crouches and uses his picks.
Putting his fingers 'tween window and sill,
He opens his access while dry lips he licks.

Hopping to hardwood, feet springy and spry,
Our thief's eyes are lighted with unknown intent.
A black cat appears with a watchful green eye
Sniffing our shadowy friend's cryptic scent.

Deciding the clad in black man was a friend,
Our feline meowed and slid 'twixt two long legs.
The intruding man lowered pack with knee's bend
And opened its top, while cat paws and then begs.

He drew from the fabric a large wad of cash
To leave for the woman he knew needed a hand.
For no more food stamps she could find in her stash,
Empty her pockets due to his contraband.

Horror, it struck him, until he resolved
To give back the items he'd stolen and more.
Conscience within him this night had evolved,
He felt strangely joyful from gifts on her floor.

As he closed up his bag, hauled it to his back,
Two elderly eyes appeared in dark doorway.
The old woman's eyes grew wide and jaw slack
As she looked at his present from shock she did sway.

Their eyes met in mutual warmth and affection,
Her cat tracing path of their heartfelt connection
Near her it approached to show its genuflection
As she understood this man's welcome intention.

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