On Reading that I am ‘Elderly’

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As if the wordhas some dragging magicshe appearsthat woman who bentso carefully her black laced feetto fit the curveof the beachside walk(Victoria: a long moist springor was it autumn?)

I see on her head againthe good felt hatwith its pleated ribbonsee the black brushed coatand the fur with still eyes and snouther long-dead pet.

She was struck by a car(I think)the Times reported.Àæelderly resident.Not me, of course!Yet now I wonder:did shecould she tooas she walked so slowlyhave been racinginside herselfwith love with firethat jumped from tree to treefiercer and faster because the wood was drycrying lookover the prim beast's headnot at the calendar looksee me?

© Marriott Anne