Settling In

Billie Rose forged herself a new character
after that unfortunate Dublin brawl.
Then she sailed for the new world
in search of Gold and good times.

Plied her passage, travelled on the rails
by cozening up to a few conductors.
At the White Owl, she took one look—
green summer glistening
on smooth puncheon floors.

Declared to Emmy she was aiming
to stay right there. Drank and shot
with the boys from the quarry.
Declared herself mighty pleased
with marble busts they carved her.

Settled down with Old Joe
and his mine on Sugar Boy.
Had three boys and a little girl—
the girl for luck, Billie Rose laughed
with Bridget over cups of
China tea in her sun-
drenched cabin over the mine.

And the dust sounds of hunger,
crowded streets, and textile factories
slowly melted into the silences
of shivering aspen and the distant shouts
of her boys playing in the pilings.
 

© Deena Larsen