It lasted what, maybe 15 seconds? 

 Those four times at the toll booths today.

 In the scope of eternity 

 That’s not much

 (If you’re counting time).

 So not to make too much of it,

 But the attendants’ calm, cool, professional collectedness

 – and most of all the smile and the eye contact at the end – 

 And an unexpected stability crept in my car,

 Sidled comfortably into my psyche. 

 Men and women fulfilling their role, in their place,

 – temporary or not –

 In those well done isolated moments

 Helped catalyze

 A centering solidarity

 A happy empowering awareness

 Of folks.

 Folks working their shifts

 Capably, willingly,

 Wholeheartedly

 Profoundly inspired me – in reminding me – to well-work my own.

 Such a sturdy this-sphere’s-intact-and-life’s-going-forward posture

 Set me better on my way.

 Thanks for your part in paying it forward, 

 Whoever you are.