Petals Drift
Last week Opal learned
she has cancer
might live six months
even though she's busy
quilting with other
widows at church
gardening every day
pleased with her roses.
"I'm 80, Betty,
That's old enough"
Opal tells her neighbor
over the fence
as she walks
in her garden
waters some roses
not as warm now
autumn is here
petals drift
in the breeze,
an early snow.