She Rose From the Weeds

 

you drove by the woman standing on the verge

the woman with the shoulders of a long distance swimmer

and you told yourself her story:

she'd slept in the wiregrass

she carries nothing in her hands

she's slipped out of her life

she will take any lift offered

she doesn't want your attention

 

after you drove by the woman standing on a verge

the woman with tangled blonde hair and a straight back

you told yourself your story:

you slept where you landed

you slipped out of your life

you stopped choosing

you were attended to, made safe,

you know what almost happened.