They Said Wrong

For ages, all of us have had the story wrong.

            -Richard Howard

They said she lost her mind years ago when she killed that man,

Her eyes now focused on the air in front of her,

Her hair greasy with the oils of insanity and regret.

They said she no longer has control of the tools in her hands,

So it’s better to cross to the other side of the road

If you see her while walking.

They said she wouldn’t recognize the difference

Between a cougar and a woman on steroids,

Between a giant lizard and a Nazi general.

They said she has lost all her teeth-

All but one on top and one on bottom

For biting old hot dogs and the occasional policemen.

They said she steals little girls and cuts off all their hair.

She then sells black, blonde, and brunette

Knitted hand bags outside store fronts.

They said she dances and sings every

Sunday night in in her birthday suit

In the middle of Time Square for all to see.

They said she’s deaf and cannot speak.

They said she’s missing one arm.

They said to leave her alone.

They said wrong.