Tonglen on the BART

Looking at you
pregnant lady on the BART
your features etched
with sadness
I feel your pain
as if it were mine
and wish
as I have so often wished
That I were a little braver.

Brave enough to say aloud to you
"Whatever saddens you,
I hope it is better soon".

Such simple words
but I cannot say them
so instead I sit here
in the corner
breathing in your suffering
and breathing out peace.

I doubt it really helps you
but I pray it might.