the bell ringer

the man in front of the grocery
store
has returned with his
bell.
his black pot
secured and swinging on
a tripod
of metal poles.
he greets everyone with have
a nice
day.
his right hand rings
a loud bell
hour upon hour. he has a wool
hat on
with the flaps pulled down
to cover his ears, a dark blue
pea coat is buttoned
up to his plaid scarf.
he paces in place,
as if doing a dance
and waiting for instructions
as to what to do next
with his booted
feet.
it's fifty degrees out. you
look into his eyes to
try and determine if he might
be touched, as they used to say,
a little crazy.
but you see no sign of that.
he seems happy, standing there
year after year, ringing
his bell
and saying have a nice day.