woman

there was a strange woman
who lived down the street
she wore her best gowns
when she planted the seeds
of beautiful flowers

she built herself a garden
when all silent neighbors
were tending the lawns
laying ruly and low (green and boring)
under their feet.

she taught kids about music
and piano sonatas
and crazy forgotten traviattas
i am sure she was lonely
and i hope she was sweet


she has gone north
with the wind
the strange woman
who left us the flowers
of wonder, right at our feet