Phyllis

Phyllis runs the clinic
counting out the daily pills
the staff there like to tease her
and call her "Dr. Phyl"

She looks out for her people
and worries when they're late
she knows that if they disappear
she'll never know their fate

She softly pats each grimy hand
and offers tea and toast
but her gentle conversation
is what they value most

Phyllis greets each one by name
prefaced by Miss or Mister
she feeds them pride thus, eye-to-eye
in honor of her sister

Misty's schizophrenia 
was in control for years
her family saw her smiling
but no one saw her fears

Tired of feeling frozen
Misty stopped her meds
and when her demons came to call
one midnight Misty fled

So Phyllis helps the homeless
and studies each new face
waiting for a recognition
to solve her own cold case

c. 8/20/09, B. Riley