Councilwoman Patsy Jones
never knew
she was once
an English teacher
but makes sense now
looking back
she read everything
that ever came across her desk
she was a close reader
always prepared
for the first and third Tuesday
of the month
maybe overprepared at times
she held herself to a high standard
and fought hard for what she believed in
she never forgot why she was there
she was proud to serve
on the city council
proud she had a part in moving the city forward
from the minor to the major decisions
she helped shape the city she loves
she was tough when she had to be
and didn’t budge if she believed it
to be unfair or unjust or undercut
and she didn’t care if so-and-so didn’t like it much
‘cause she wasn’t there for them
she was representing those who never attend city council meetings
but are affected just the same by what’s in those ordinances and resolutions and such
she understood that
she understood who she was working for
and didn’t take it for granted
as Frost once wrote:
“and that has made all the difference …”
TL