This
A poem by Joe Cottonwood

This

Quail Court 
is a manicured plot 
where dwells a schoolteacher 
named Jane who this once 
in the entire span of our lifetimes
I meet for a few minutes in her bungalow of
flamboyant art, orchids in pots. 

Jane outlines my electrical task, 
a new circuit plus a couple of floodlights, 
and then with schoolteacher gaze 
both merry and serious she asks 
“Are you honest? Wonderful and all that?” 

“Um… Yes.” 

“Then here’s where I hide the house key. 
Just leave a bill on the table. I’ll pay it because 
I’m also honest and wonderful and all that.”

And I do. Next day. Alone.
And she does. By mail. Promptly.
And I love. All that.

About the Author:

Joe Cottonwood has repaired hundreds of houses to support his writing habit in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. His latest book of poetry is Random Saints. He appreciates bushy eyebrows, big paws, and dog-eared pages.

Poetry Breakfast is an online journal publishing poetry and short plays.
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