What to Wear

A fit and flare, accordion pleats pressed, a dress
for the awful rowing; something lampblack,
Charon-dark, a skirt that flows out like a river,
that never stops like a river, that holds the water
cupped in its hands then through its fingers,
with golden buttons and clasps, color of the coin
you house in the perfect fence of baby teeth; a dress
with shoulders color of soot, back of sable,
waist of onyx, a scalloped hemline, Peter-Pan collar,
sweet and simple curve of another child
who won’t grow old. Raven-colored, ink-permanent,
jet-fast, obsidian lace and pinked seams. Church-length,
with a row of covered buttons, hidden closure.

originally published in 32 Poems