Autumn Evening Mirage

By Ann M. Clinton

The warm autumn evening

Still held evidence of the

Sultry afternoon – bats now

Circled the street lamps

On this quiet country lane

One of the houses had large
Windows open to catch an

Errant breeze or two
I stopped for a moment

Drawn by the movement

At the window
I stepped closer
And saw a faint figure

She moved like a wraith

Filmy gown sweeping the floor
Her voice in cadence with

The whispering of her long

Flowing gown
it sounded like
She was asking

“Where are my glasses?”

She was joined by another figure
Shorter than she, also in a gown
That billowed as she walked and
Made a soft sound that seemed
To answer

“You are wearing them.”