Peppermint Man
Comics and coughing fits on the train He didn't have teeth, but a mile wide grin and asked politely about the pictures in my book A tight smile in response and terse replies Once there was room, like most Chicagoans do, he moved to a free double-seater Reading and coughing, moving along A long, wet, rattling sound from the depths A shaking cold, long held and long endured He turned around and handed over a peppermint For that cough in your chest , he says and turned back around Checking it over for mold and puncture holes (Can't blame a soul for being careful) Found nothing but white and red candied swirls Got off at the next stop and waved goodbye to him The cough got better as the day went on It was a pretty good peppermint Didn't expect to be on the train with Peppermint Man A shy, polite, caped crusader with pockets of candy Dispensing minty goodness to ward against the chill You'd never suspect the classy, toothless guy on the train of savin