Dignity

The lightbulb over the range burned out several weeks ago.
On Saturday morning I went to the CVS on Congress to buy a new bulb.

When I turned down the bulb aisle there was a horrible stench.
I looked at the shelves to my right and left to see if some toxic product had burst – insecticide, oven cleaner?

But the source of the aroma was right in front of me.
A homeless woman, draped in layers of dirty shawls, was standing halfway down the aisle turning a box of chocolate mints over and over in her hand while mumbling to herself.

I struggled to remind myself she is also a person.