maisie was a nice woman
always allowed people
to get into the bus before her
gave up her seat for pregnant
women or the infirm
happy to help
answered questions for directions
assisted blind people across the road
picked up and returned items dropped from bags
to distracted shoppers
looked after neighbours' mail, pets and gardens
whilst they were on holiday
always provided tea and sandwiches for tradesmen
bundled up clothes and things for charity
knitted quilt patch for the needy
then the day arrived in a flash
maisie was old herself
often missed the bus
because everyone shoved in front of her
stood all the way clutching her walking sitck
when she dropped her purse
no one helped to pick up the contents
grumbling
as they stepped over her to get out
she had to go to hospital for a hip replacement
the neighbours were too busy
to collect her mail or look after her old dog
first time she had asked for a favour in forty years
her remaining relative had rover euthanased
because he would be too much for her to manage
making a diary entry to check funeral expenses
a quick calculation of what her property was worth
eyeing off her few bits and pieces before driving rover
to his last visit to the vet
maisie returned home
three months later she was found dead in her cottage
the neighbours consoled each other as the police
put the the tiny body bag into the car
if only they had known
if only she had reached out and asked for help they said
'such a dear old lady'
Midweek Motif Poets United
