SHALIMAR RISING

Stooped and shabbby she shuffles,

A widowed pensioner,

Buried knee, slipped disk,

Hand in hand with his walking stick,

Trundling food exchanged for coupons.

A bargain hunter.

A lovelorn cat companion.

By day she is Invisible.

But when darkness descends

She sheds her faded nightgown for silks and satins

Dripped in delight.

Salsa-hipped she shimmies,

Entices,

Temptress-eyed and red lipped,

A thrill-seeker,

A love thief.

By night she is still

Shalimar.