The ponytail atop her head is askew,

Her cat’s eye glasses are smudged,

Her two piece suit is rumpled and

Her slip is showing.

She’s balancing a sheaf of papers and a laptop,

A lunch bucket and a hatbox with a torn lid.

Like Shiva she needs 6 arms and only has two.

I’m disappointed at first…

Then I gape in awe at her exquisite blue-and-gold brocade

High heeled shoes.

My breath becomes prayer as I ask,

“How do you walk in those? Can you teach me?”

A smile splits her face, revealing magenta lipstick

On coffee stained teeth.

“Just put one foot in front of the other, Sweetie.

Take one step at a time.”