fresh mint

she planted the mint

on the side

of the porch

sixteen years ago.

it's grown wild now.

it reaches over

the steps, the long

tendrils full

of green.

when i come home

from work,

or leave

and lock the door.

i think of her.

i remember her kneeling

in the soft dirt,

looking up at me in

the sun, smiling

and saying.

we're going to have

fresh mint now.