Violet
Violet
Not one tooth in her head,
she stood in front of store windows
all day, dabbing at her mouth
with embarrassment and
supreme embarassment
She relished one hot cup
of coffee, while I waited for the bus,
never allowing me to pay
but appreciative of a face
across the table that did not stare
After months, she opened up
a bit...
enough to tell me she'd had a
government job
and that she had to remain
hidden and alone
I did not believe her,
but played along and
always met her at the
cafeteria on cold winter
days
to check if she was still
alive
In April, I told her I was leaving
town to get married and start
a new life
She nodded.
I didn't see her for a few days
then on Thursday afternoon
she appeared with a gift in
hand
Silver sugar tongs
wrapped in paper and foil
she bought for me
without betraying any emotion
or perhaps with grace
displaying it all
I still have the tongs
and think of her on holidays
a remembrance
of Violet
Who had a job
with the government
but must stay
hidden and alone
Like any violet.
Not one tooth in her head,
she stood in front of store windows
all day, dabbing at her mouth
with embarrassment and
supreme embarassment
She relished one hot cup
of coffee, while I waited for the bus,
never allowing me to pay
but appreciative of a face
across the table that did not stare
After months, she opened up
a bit...
enough to tell me she'd had a
government job
and that she had to remain
hidden and alone
I did not believe her,
but played along and
always met her at the
cafeteria on cold winter
days
to check if she was still
alive
In April, I told her I was leaving
town to get married and start
a new life
She nodded.
I didn't see her for a few days
then on Thursday afternoon
she appeared with a gift in
hand
Silver sugar tongs
wrapped in paper and foil
she bought for me
without betraying any emotion
or perhaps with grace
displaying it all
I still have the tongs
and think of her on holidays
a remembrance
of Violet
Who had a job
with the government
but must stay
hidden and alone
Like any violet.