She lives with every circumstance of loss.
Stories her mother told her. A bride
crushed by an 18-wheeler on her wedding
eve. A cruise ship rising red
out of oceanwaves when the fireworks went off.
A cousin crumpled over his stock reports.
Things she's read in the paper, seen
for herself on TV. Sky-divers splashed
all over the fairgrounds. A seeker-
after-truth disappeared in Nicaragua,
some lady mugged at the mall. Aunt Sadie
knows all the hazards. Death. Life.
She keeps herself close and pulls
her curtains shut and locks the deadbolt.
Meanwhile outside, the careless neighbors'
lawn loses itself in full green growing
abandon of delight.