musical neighbor

the piano

teacher next door, before

she met

her future husband

on Catholic Singles,

used to bring

me over a plate of whatever

she had made

for dinner

that week.

sometimes a stew,

sometimes

a pasta dish with garlic bread.

sometimes

a cake.

thank you, i'd tell her.

you're way too kind,

then listen

to her play her piano

through the wall,

until she went to bed,

climbing the stairs

alone.