welcome to the neighborhood

bertha stops

by

with a pan of meatloaf.

she says.

welcome to the neighborhood.

i tell her i've been

here for fifteen years.

i know, she says.

i've been here for twenty

years.

i just haven't had time to

stop by

and say welcome

and to introduce myself.

i'm bertha. i live 

around the corner next

to the basketball court.

nice to meet you.

i tell her, staring at the heavy

pan

covered in foil.

here she says. i take it from

her and smile.

don't lose the pan. it's one

of my favorites.

bye for now. when you're

done with it

leave it on my porch at

6524 or just knock.