She is grey now
a shawl wrapped around heavy shoulders
She walks gingerly,
as if the sidewalk might trip her
and her gaze is ever downcast.

Ah, but she was once a curiosity
dressed in single colours:

black or red or blue

With feet that never hit the ground
she lit up dull street corners and quiet park benches
skipping across sidewalks
the way water bugs dart across clear glass ponds
not on the water~ above the surface

She was a bouncing ball full of energy; exuding it.
Little children chased after her because of that energy
Little children and I.