I watched her from the park one day
i was hidden behind the rhododendron
that Ms. Clemington had sheared
so well this year
as she does annually
and my eyes peered from
the hairy underside of those
widespread leaves
and i watched her
as she emerged from the path
and tentatively placed
her toes on the sidewalk
always cautious
as if someone were
watching her every move
for a minute i stood still
afraid that my hiding spot
had been discovered
but she continued on,
on to the sidewalk
and walked away
as if what had happened
back there in that place
they make her call home
had never even existed.