Friday, January 11, 2013

leopard lady

she stands on the corner of 5th street and vine *
in her furry spotted boots & leopard poncho,
fluffy, animal gloves..long wild scarf..
a print hat celebrates her head!
the colour tones of her ensemble
are magnificent with her rich, dark skin..

she trembles ..
something like a parkinson's tremor ~
the parcel she holds shakes in her hands..

she is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
as she peeks into each car that stops at the sign.
there is a wee smile on her lips.
she is an animal of happiness ~
waiting at a crosswalk..

the cars ahead of me do not give her
the opportunity to cross the street..
when i reach the corner, our eyes meet.
i open up my palm in a gesture of after you..
she smiles broadly..a fine leonine smile & says aloud:
why thank you ever so much!

she sets out timidly in front of me..
quivering and quaking ... carefully placing her paws ..
step...by...step....by...step...by...step...
she takes her time..
i enjoy watching her slow, cat shimmy..

she steps up to the sidewalk...
when i drive away i see that she has turned around..
ready to cross the same street she has just traversed -

purrrr, baby, purrrrr!

(*streets have been changed to protect her innocence...)

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