Classic Poem

Life dyed her hair pale green,
The color of a virgin's hate:
Set purple on her lips —
Decay and ripeness merged by fate.

She stained her face dark grey,
The tinge beneath a harlot's grin:
Her orange eyebrows held
The arched inviting known as sin.

One arm and hand she made
Cerise — reflection thinning blood:
The other hand and arm
Light brown, the hue of washed-out mud.

She stained her breast pale blue,
The color of a poet's death:
Her legs and feet became
Cream-white, a maiden's begging breath.

Stern critics, laughing ones,
Observed her, walking down the street,
And cried: " She is grotesque,
Insanely trivial, replete

With gaudy posturing! "
Or said, while shouts and chortles broke:
" A strolling paint-shop's here —
Come, tell us, girlie, what's the joke? "