Dan Hardison

Miss Lizzie

She lived near the middle of town in a broken-down house, isolated and alone. A six-foot fence of chicken wire kept strangers at bay. Covered windows kept out light and prying eyes. The yard was overgrown and no one knew if the tombstones in the front yard were memorials or actual gravesite markers.

People knew her only as Miss Lizzie and could not remember how long she had lived there or anything else about her. It was rare to get a glimpse of her, so she was regarded as eccentric and mysterious.

They now know she was 98 years old after she was found dead lying just inside the front door. So is this what happens when you outlive family and friends, and no one notices when you die?

windows growing dark
with shadows stretching longer –
disappearing light