Arlene Lenarz, NSD It had been a long day! I was finishing a task; And as I hurried past her, A little voice said, "Ask!" "Oh, not today!" I told myself; I'm tired and it shows. Besides, I might look foolish... And she'd likely just say, "No!" While drifting off to sleep that night, I saw her face again. I wondered what her life was like... her needs, her dreams, her pain. What if she'd been wishing For a friendly word and smile, A chance to know somebody, who would go the "extra mile?" What if she'd been waiting For a break, an open door? Was this the opportunity that she'd been praying for? I saw the cars she might not drive, The rings she might not wear, Because I would not risk myself To stop...to ask...to care. So what if what I offer her Is not her cup of tea? That's a choice for her to make... How selfish can I be? When all my dreams are realized I don't want to regret The lives I wouldn't touch and change... The "no's" I didn't get. Oh, let me live a true "go-give", And let my mission be Not to think, "Do I need her?" But maybe she needs me!