marching left

when she got

her third

cat.

i began to worry.

and then

she let her hair grow

grey,

and began to drink

herbal tea.

she started to play

the banjo

and whittle

ash trays and salad

bowls from fallen

trees.

she began to recycle,

and grow

tomatoes

and celery.

who was she now

with the rainbow flag,

hanging

from her porch.

this new person

was all new

to me.