Circle of Charity

I spotted a shelf of used tennis balls
in the Thrift Shop sponsored
by the Hospital Philanthropic Auxiliary

Five cans written off
by a contributor on his IRS 7201
as "Misc. Sports Equipment" $387

Months later the single mom
her credit cards maxed out
sees them, and thinks,
Only five bucks,
Marty will enjoy these

But he didn't, as he knew
what Mom and the shopkeepers
didn't.

It was junk.

And Marty was
even more angry, and hurt
and felt worse than ever.

Somewhere,
the shrewd contributor
smiled at his tax refund.