She dresses
in colors bright--
have I ever seen the same thing twice?
green or pink or orange or fuschia
snug to the body
something that sparkles around her neck
little shoes with litttle function
but to coordinate with the color of her nails

I was dubious:
where were the sober tones and suits
of the professional?
Who was she presenting her colors to?
What did this mean?
harrumpph

But things are bleak
there’s plenty of news in gray and brown and black
I no longer ponder
the shoulds and supposed tos
but bask in her sunburst
her merry laugh
the gift
of her self-attention
sunshine now reflected in
my orange sweater
a yellow blouse
the first pair of red shoes...