Loretta

"Look at the shadow on our tree

Seems we'll meet an early dusk"

Loretta looked up, the gray sky low

Two-by-two on the bus

Water and anger in our house

Though she spoke of rainbows

Reaching the roof with soaking shoes

River's up, where'd she go?

You're wiser, Loretta

You're wiser, and only twenty-five

Churning, the TV floating by

Through our room and out the door

Loretta, she prayed for what to do

If it rained anymore

She was a washcloth wet with love

I was not; she was mine

I'm in the olive tree next door

River's up to my eyes

You're wiser, Loretta

Much wiser, and only just in time