Kim gets the red dress
I get the sequined jeans
tight stretch catch a glance
in the window
and palms press down my bottom and damn
look at that I do have the hips of a woman
usually hidden under straight leg
loose fit androgynous Levis
but these low ride flare legs
with a mirrored vine that blooms on my thigh
twists around my knee to ankle spills it's leaves
god how they accentuate my curves!
John stops to speak with me after church.
As always, presses his cheek to mine and holds
holds
holds
holds on many moments longer
than if my husband were here.
Since his wife passed
he takes all the skin to skin contact he can get.
It is the only thing that comforts him.
He told me this at the coffee place
after we first embraced
and I told him he can have my cheek
as long as he needs it
and he takes it every Sunday.
White whiskers bristle.
Usually he holds his breath but today I feel
the heat down my neck.
As we talk he has trouble
keeping eye contact.
It must be the jeans.
Either the shiny objects are distracting
or he is thinking damn where did those hips
come from and how do I get my hands
on her soft fertility or maybe
in the sequin reflections
he caught himself
growing old alone.
© 2005 Jennifer Vanburen
Follow this link to comment
