They call her Stranger

Not because she is one

She’s well known hereabouts

Stranger,

Because

She’d tell a joke and end it

with “there’s no line to punch”

and burst out laughing

Because

She’d start a story and in no time

she’d announce “to be continued”

and burst out laughing

Because

She’d issue commands general like

only to shout “At ease! At ease!”

and burst out laughing

Because

She’d make loud purring sounds

taunting the guys to “Pet me! Pet me!”

and burst out laughing

Curious

I sidled up to her

calling out, “Hi Stranger”

and burst out laughing

Curious

You calling me Stranger mister?

what do they call you?

and she burst out laughing

Curious

“Stranger Still,” I said

smiling as best I could

and burst out laughing

Curious

She laughed and laughed

our eyes meeting there

both laughing and laughing