An Unexpected Gift At An Unexpected Time

She stood on the corner,
waiting to cross at the light,
in her fluffy, flowery, ruffle-trimmed summer dress,
reading a book,
an opened, bright yellow parasol resting on her shoulder.
Her entire profile was awash from behind with sunlight.

A dozen thoughts crossed my mind
as I turned in front of her
and drove past.

The whole incident,
which seemed like an aberration,
lasted only seconds,
but my satisfied, bemused grin,
and the feeling of gratitude she occasioned,
lasted the entire afternoon.