For the Leaf Woman

I think you’re pretty—
though I can only see your eyes, and black hair
up in a ponytail, matching your black rims.
Yet, your fervid energy comes through,
and I know you’ve kept your paper face on,
not from fear—your hands are just full.

In the left, a box of Reis enveloped—
and the right gracefully sweeping
the leaves of the walkway’s edge.
In a revery I can’t presume—but I know this—
I, too, am submerged in the daydreams of my making—
I, too, like to feel, touching helps to get lost
from the path attempting to hold us straight.
You are spectacular in your subdued desertion
of the formal, of the rules.
I can extrapolate this—
we’d be friends.

I'll save you the expletives I used—
but I was frank—how can you forget Reis?
All she does is petulantly stomp
around the flat—like I don’t have enough
to do with school and rotations,
I also have to be the captain of chores and cooking.
She can repair herself—
I’ve got my own coordinates to reach.

Without realizing, I’ve outstretched my arm,
brushing the leaves and the hilarity of it is
I normally have a gentle tongue—
squinting in the sun that’s briefly come—
the waxy Earth has brought my bearings and this is life—
we are done.

Born in New Jersey, Kelly O’Toole has spent her life there until moving to Germany in 2020 with her husband and three young sons. I Only Have To Change My Mind is Kelly’s first book of poetry. “Faith Rain Run” from the collection is forthcoming in Scissors & Spackle. She has also written a coming of age novel, and in progress with a second book of poetry, Perspectives. Kelly taught high school English, earned a BA in English and Art History, and an MA in teaching secondary English. Kelly has been a stay-at-home mom for six years.