They are different... these vacant seats

I arrive at the platform in advance.

Not to occupy a vacant seat for myself,

but to shield it with my right

of a 66-year-old Grandfather with a 6-year-old Soul in the circle of 6 grandchildren —

to give it away for a “thank you” of both old and new coinage.

In my pocket, candies.

In my memory, duty.

To occupy a space that does not belong to me,

so that, regardless of weariness, I may yield it for the weight of a “thank you”,

falling as a burden upon my right shoulder…

To vacate a place for another's weakness.

This is more than a duty. It is the breath of the blood.

Today I was late — I see a single vacant seat:

I do not sit…

Opposite is a baby...

The diaper has not been changed for a long time…

I could not remain near for even a fraction of time…

And to the summer cottage, there are forty of such minutes.

I extended a candy to the child

and moved further away, where the stench does not reach….

For I could not offer to anyone entering the carriage this… vacant seat:

such a gesture is not worthy of gratitude…

Respect is a two-way bridge.

One cannot ask the world for beauty while bringing neglect.

Goodness must be pure. Like a sip of water.

Where the air is poisoned — nobility chooses to distance itself.

Culture begins before the word. It is in the purity of the breath.

Keep the canons high.

In any carriage of this life.

Alın Ak in co-creation with KaJe MeG