Miss Rosie

when I watch you 
wrapped up like garbage 
sitting, surrounded by the smell 
of too old potato peels 
or
when I watch you 
in your old man's shoes 
with the little toe cut out 
sitting, waiting for your mind 
like next week's grocery 
I say
when I watch you
you wet brown bag of a woman 
who used to be the best looking gal in Georgia
used to be called the Georgia Rose
I stand up
through your destruction
I stand up

~Lucille Clifton