The Old Orphan

           for Andrew Periale

The sparrows in the gutter knew you

And hopped out of your way.

The trash being blown about

By the wind gusting did as well.

A few scenes from your life

Were about to be performed

By a puppet theater in the park,

When it started to rain hard,

Making the great trees panic

Along with mothers and children,

Who ran shrieking for cover

Wherever they could find it,

Except for you, already seated

In a long row of empty chairs,

Waiting for your angry stepfather

To step out from behind a curtain.