A pastel pink pump on a porch

where people gather around a heater.

Ed comes up guided by a man who lives in the house.

Big, slow Ed,  black bearded and gentle, easy with a laugh,

slouching from couch to couch

never working hard

or wearing out his welcome.

“Hey Ed! I thought you were dead or somethin’.”

I am genuinely glad to see him looking so much the same

as 20 years ago.

Across the silent street children play

in the dark green shadows of the forest.