Florence Dale - Fv

Florence The Goat Lover – FV She had a wicked laugh, witchlike Bringing forth Gingerbread House Fright She lived with goats They walked through the house gladly Front door was gone She wore men’s clothing Overalls, and she wore a black derby Her gray hair stuck out in crazy ways We were terrified of her Florence, the Goat Lover gave us Wild stories about black snakes Curling around her tomatoes She killed them with a hoe Which she carried and shook at us When she wanted to demonstrate Her murdering ways, She told us about hangings too. She had seen them In her days as a child. We were mesmerized and terrified Running out to be with her and her goats Whenever we could as she walked between gardens. The goat had a bell, which called us out of our childhood laziness. The most interesting, frightening, Terrifying non-woman-like woman We had ever met, in our ten years of life. Florence, our childhood hero. She lived her life on her own terms, Not caring about social norms or niceties. She taught me it is okay to be me. My childhood hero, who always Shrieked a maniacal Tasmania Devil screech when she saw a snake. Delighting us in her joy of a good kill. Written 2-28-2019 Contest: What’s In a Name Poetry Contest Sponsor: Kim Rodrigues