She only has one arm,
but she has a big heart.
She also has
a pet pigeon
named Zaza,
which she keeps
in a plastic bag
warm and dry
out of the rain.
She always says,
Boa Tarde,
when I pa** her
at the square.
And I feel privileged
to have such a wonderful person
like the Pigeon Lady
even acknowledge
my meager existence.
She's homeless,
she's old,
but beautiful.
And I hope
she'll keep me warm
and dry
out of the rain.
© Ithaka Darin Pappas 1993