The Belle of Randolph County, W.V.

For some, laughing takes courage –
she, politely sipping
from her coffee mug,
warms her hands:
aged leather.

The asthma and stroke, dignified
when worn in such a pleasant
grace, cower as she smiles;
displays a portrait, frozen
on the back page of the local paper:
statuesque
in the dying
wisps of
the wilting
winter grass.