Curtain

Remembering an Edinburgh neighbour

Descending her garden path
she turns, backtracks indoors
again, and into the front room
to straighten a curtain.

It’s only a week-day
but she wears her Sunday best,
complete with smart hat.
She’s looking all around –

something she always does,
to wipe a sill, spot a weed,
or a bit of grass she’ll need
to trim – or leave to him.

He’s waiting out front by the car
when at length she rejoins him
and the pair of them drive off.
It’s pitch dark when he returns.

The Queen of Sheba
with even Solomon
in all his glory
could not have made a finer exit.