Three blocks away three years ago she lost
direction. She was driving to my place,
and somehow her location wires crossed.
She called me, flustered. I began a race
to her on foot. I said, “Stay where you are,”
and quickly locked my door and moved my feet.
I hurried till I got to where her car
was idling, flashing lights and blocking street.

Together all too slowly then, we went
to lunch and talked about her failing heart.
And though her ills were not an accident
(bad habits gave pre-disposition start),
I murmured love and sympathy. We sighed.
Before another winter passed, she died.