THE VALLEY COTTAGE PORCH

by Joanna Gilman Hyde

I was That Girl

in a red terry tank top

no bra

gold medallion around My Neck

hair piled upon My Head

legs crossed, long & tan

My Saucy Smile

won My Man

I was eighteen there

& piped the dream

“Living In Nova Scotia”

here — now — on My Deck

in My Brand New LL Beans

belted, shirt tucked in

breasts in place

expecting Peak

& Hunter & maybe Eliza

for Nachos