Waiting at the streetlight corner
We saw him strut towards the door
An 'open' sign which indicated
All could go except the poor

We gazed through the window glass
Specially painted to let us know
Pleasant treats were being offered today
At prices which were more than low

Still beyond our reach they were
The cakes that we so badly craved
While others rushed inside the shop
They couldn’t believe how much they saved

While Minnie failed to understand
She only savored smelt and saw
Not knowing why we couldn’t buy
The smoothie with the fancy straw

I held her hand and let her cry
For a cake that was a chocolate brown
Frosty icing on the sides
And sapid syrup streaming down

Scrumptious smells began to reach
The streetlight corner where we stood
And taking in the taste I thought
How anything could be so good

Delightful cream and cinnamon sweets
Were brought to life before our eyes
And just when I was full enough
Came treacle fudge and apple pies

We watched the people inside the shop
A few tables where they sat and ate
Bread with jam and golden honey
Half of which they'd always waste

Then with steaming cups in hand
Coffee spilling on the floor
They rushed out already late for work
Trying to bang a swinging door

I watched till my heart’s content
So did Minnie by my side
With teary eyes and a doleful face
She asked if we could go inside

Turning around and pulling her close
I bent to whisper in her ear
A promise that I always made
As she wiped another tear

I told her now was not the time
Nor was it our lifelong fate
The misfortune and ordeal would end
Someday I’d make a change so great

I told her things aren’t always good
That life is hardly ever fair
But I would lift that burden off
Someday I’d fill the silverware

I told her just to wait and bear
The pain would clear and the tears would stop
Someday we’d glance at the streetlight corner
From somewhere far inside that shop