I learned yesterday that long-time downtown fixture Ulla was found dead at the convenience store parking lot. There was no visible sign of trauma other than a cold night. Her thin jerky stride was recognizable to anyone who frequents down town. Sometimes she’d be in animated conversations with people who weren’t there, and sometimes she would stop by the beaver display and comment with startling toothless clarity on the kit that died “because of the coons”. There were always dramatic stories about her early life, that she had once been a dancer or a stripper. Clearly she had a colored past that brought her to an unsteady present. Many distant hearts will feel sorry at the news, and wish her peace.
anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn’t he danced his did
Women and men(both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn’t they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain
children guessed(but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more
when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone’s any was all to her
someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then)they
said their nevers they slept their dream
stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)
one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was
all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
wish by spirit and if by yes.
Women and men(both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain
ee cummings
