saw her once in 1973,
she was leanin to the lamp post
when billy fremont came
sauntering past with his
cocky stride.
she was snappin her gum
and never lost a beat as
the corner of her mouth
curled geniusely
her foot snaked out
and whamo!
down goes billy in a heap!
but quick as lightnin
ol billy jumps up and bolts
for that dirty bitch
but weren't no need to hurry
cuz she was already there
with her chin up and
her long hair cherokeed
"whatcha gonna do bout it billy fremont?"
she slung his full name like david's stone
and it sunk deep in his forehead
"well, you'll see. You'll see"
she coughed out a laugh
that echoed through generations
and her gum hit him square in the head as he stomped away
seen her once in a field
splittin wood
all dressed up as a man,
her sleeves rolled tight
to her biceps, and
that axe starting at the heel
never paused for breath
as nature itself held
hush in the trees
she once sold the worst car
in the lot
to the man who owned the bank
and all he could do
was pretend it wasn't
but she has her soft side
I've seen her walk down
a country lane in May soft
as doves skittered her steps
and sparrows nested
in her locks
she's written poem after poem
to dragonflies who taxied
soft breezes
to her curling fingers
I've seen her stroke
the marigolds gently
and tickle the honey bee's whisker
while the sun caressed
her heaving breast
she has her moods
and they are best avoided
but she has her moments
that should never be sold
those that think themselves
favoured in her charm
shall surely find the draft
of her bared teeth
and her mercies are
more random
than a coin toss
if she were any other way
she would be any other lake
than Superior
