Two Dollars

In the morning before I left for work,

Checked out the wife’s purse for a few bucks for morning coffee.
Folded neatly in the back was all the money she had . . . two dollar bills.

And I saw them there in her wallet,
Folded with care,
Kept aside for a moment when she might need them.

And it said so much to see them there,
Folded gently,

Taken with care.

She could have married someone with money.
And she never would care about those two dollars.

But she would rather be with me,

And gently fold each one.

I didn’t have any coffee that day but I was smiling and wide-awake.

• John Grace, M.D.
• Class of 2000