Sunbonnet

She shuffled by our house, so slow and bent, No second thought of where the lady went. On her return, no one around to see. A shaded path, she blended with the trees. We children always giggled, as she passed. A group emboldens others to harrass. Our high pitched jeering from a hidden niche, The frail, sunbonnet lady, we yelled "witch". One day a fever kept me home from class. I saw her weary shuffle down the path. My over-active need to know convened. I followed with excitement and unseen. A house engulfed by weeds grown thick and tall, As vines of every species claimed the walls. Around the side, a window to peek in; A man in bed with twisted, throbbing limbs. . The lady rubbed a salve to ease his pain. And hummed a long forgotten song's refrain. I blurted all I'd seen to mom and dad. He stood in shocked alert and mom grew sad. How soon the path was plowed into a drive, A grocer truck and red-light cops arrived. I last recall a fancy bike, brand new. Events seem blurred, with growing up to do. . Gene Bourne. 07-17-14 .