The bum scammed me
out of ten dollars
but gave me fables enough
that maybe it was a fair deal.

His sob story lasted maybe half an hour
maybe more
and not once did he ask for money
though his appeals became decreasingly subtle.

I begrudge him nothing.
I don’t want the ten bucks back.
I just want credit
for my largesse
and maybe a reserved spot in heaven
for being taken in
by such a charming old man.