Loretta

«Look at the shadow on our tree;
Seems we’ll meet an early dusk.»
Loretta looked up, the grey sky low,
Two-by-two on the bus.
Water and anger in our house,
Though she spoke of rainbows.
Reaching the roof with soaking shoes.
River’s up, where’d she go?
You’re wiser, Loretta.
You’re wiser, and only twenty-five.
Churning, the TV floating by
Through our room and out the door,
Loretta, she prayed for what to do
If it rained anymore.
She was a washcloth wet with love
I was not. She was mine.
I’m in the olive tree next door.
River’s up to my eyes.
You’re wiser, Loretta.
Much wiser, and only just in time.