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