Ripple in the Universe

by George Thomas

I beat the late night rush
at the White Castle drive-thru
for the first time tonight.
The cashier mistakenly gave me
an extra dollar in change
with my order.
While sitting in the parking
lot, eating my delicious regret,
a vagrant approached my window,
and began her sob story.
She mumbled incoherently
and I waved my hand
to make her disappear.
She did and I continued
my cheap feast of pleasure
as an employee is accused
and that woman dies slowly.

Now my stomach churns and
nothing feels as it should.