disparity

it's raining hard.

late October,

fall has set in.

i see a woman trying

to get off

the curb,

to cross the street,

but it's a long way down.

she's holding

an enormous

black umbrella,

she looks old,

fragile,

confused.

i walk over to her

and take her arm.

let me help you, i tell her.

thank you

young man,

she says. very nice of you.

i look at her.

don't i know you?

oh my, she says, yes,

we do know

each other.

we were married once,

years ago. remember?

it didn't last.

i do, i tell her.

i remember.

shall we cross now, she says.

the light has

changed.