"Old Woman"

Today, as I was leaving the bookstore
I came upon an old woman-hair whipped up like cotton candy
Eyes, milk-washed blue, beaming with history
I gazed at her flat, dusty shoes- wondering where they had taken her over her years
She clenched her belongings as if they were the last, and most precious days of her life,
And shuffled into the place I could no longer stay
I know I will never see her again

SP