rosie the electrician

last night i checked groceries for
a woman wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with
that "we can do it" poster
of rosie the riveter from ww2.

"i was one of those," she said.
"only i was an electrician."
i thanked her for winning the war for us.
she said, "i only wish."

"my birds were beautiful," she said,
"and they all flew. it gives me goosebumps
just thinking about it."
i told her, "me too."