Ode To A Friend by Mary Perrin Scott

my friend is widowed lonely
an introvert who hung on every
word her dead husband said
trailing behind unable
to reach beyond his buoyant,
effervescent personality
now gone, she is alone

my friend is widowed and alone
what now to do? rattle around
in a house too big, much stuff
saved by him who would not let go
dishes for sixteen but none to invite
physical, mental, spiritual pain
now gone, she is alone

my friend is widowed and alone
new man friend opens the door
what baggage does he leave behind?
a poet from low income housing
no car to drive, little in the bank
will loneliness overshadow reason
or will two fractured souls unite?