To be a crone is a wondrous matter
because it takes years of practice
and a good bit of pain and disappointment
the sort of sorrow and chagrin
that can burst hairs from your chin
the wisdom she gains comes
also from beauty and joy
the gradual appreciation
of how all these facets
figure and feed each other
in the intricate dance
of stars and earth
water and wind
words and action
love life
loss lust
lingering and longing

The Widow Wyile’s trusty companion
Gorgeous the Goat is also in that zone
together they graze on greens
and bleat at the moon
frisk in the meadow
then rest and ruminate
in the shade of the maples
dozing off to the serenade of aspen leaves
busy bees
and bird broadcasts