Bags

Bags

She has to carry them in stages,
Two or three blocks at a time.
She carries all she can carry
From 25th and Shotwell
To 23rd and Shotwell.
I see her crossing 24th. 
Now her life is cleaved in two.
It makes her anxious.
She hurries back to 25th 
And carries all she can carry
Back to 23rd. She had to leave 
One bag at 25th. 
She hurries back to 25th,
Relieved to find it’s still there.
It’s easy to carry one bag
From 25th to 23rd.
I see her crossing 24th again.
She looks like anyone
Sensibly carrying a bag.
At 23rd and Shotwell
She sits amidst her life,
But only for a few moments.
She has to get to Hospitality House
On 6th and Howard by four.
She carries all she can carry
From 23rd to 21st…