Photo by Eye for Ebony on Unsplash

Musical Selection: Hello by Erykah Badu, featuring Andre 3000

thunder

a free verse poem

my neighbor has thunder in her heels. she storms down our hallway, but at an easy-going pace.

I smile — say, "Hey, there!" in my slight Southern drawl. she smiles — returns the greeting.

on our end of the hall, there are four doors. I catch her mostly, turning the corner like her life depends on the next step.

she's a fortress ... looks down at Jernee and gushes.

I pull her leash tighter in my hand, keep her close to me. we pass her often —  in a hurry to slide through our door.

I hear her say under her breath, but loud enough to get my attention — "Have a good night." I respond, "You as well."

the storm disappears with her. her door closes, and I think, "I didn't introduce myself yet again." maybe tomorrow.

©2023 Tremaine L. Loadholt

Originally published on A Cornered Gurl via WordPress and Instagram.

[embed]Hello by Erykah Badu, feat Andre 3000 via YouTube