Radiance

This morning

The Big Issue seller

on New Walk

tells me I’m looking as radiant

as ever

and that he bet everyone

said that.

No.

It’s his line

But a kind one, a compliment,

given with charm,

not sleaze.

I try on that radiance,

his gift

then: 35 emails

files of to dos not done

general office jabber

It lasts,

at the most,

twenty-three minutes.