The Elderly Lady

It was such a pleasant morning in the village

as I stopped for a break.

Parking outside a quaint thatched cottage

in the garden an elderly lady sat.

Enjoying the warm summers afternoon

it was a Thursday in June.

 

Automatically I gave her a friendly wave

she waved and smiled back.

A picture postcard scene it had to be seen

had a nice tea and cake.

Soon on my way but remembered the visit

and the lady by the privet.

 

Must have been a year to the day I went back

a short detour to the coast.

My wife came along as we headed on holiday

she was keen to see it too.

The only difference was more yellow lines

and more car park signs!

 

Eventually we wandered down the only street

both eager to say hello.

But there was only a shabby looking place

and a garden of weeds.

Run down and neglected nobody lived here

that was perfectly clear!

 

Asking those in the small village convenience store

it had been empty for years.

The elderly lady died peacefully in her sleep

the cottage couldn’t be sold.

They added others had said they seen her to

as they’d been passing through!

 

Passed by in the car for just one more look

how my sanity had been shook!

 

The Foureyed Poet.

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