What prompted him to buy us wine and food,
and leave before we voiced our gratitude?
Did we remind him of a mother dear
to him, but missed or gone this awful year?
Was he in a nostalgic sort of mood?

Did he receive a check and then conclude
he’d share the Stimulus that he accrued?
Or was he paying forward? It’s not clear
what prompted him.

We didn’t notice him. We weren’t rude –
our talk absorbed us, free of platitude,
acknowledging small boons that made us cheer.
Was he attending? Did he overhear
and pay to stimulate that attitude?
What prompted him?

(Rondeau)