you are the cracked-face doll of the rainbow.
the dissonant hum your kimono wraps us in
has established you dear P, as an outlier
never the guest at the birthday parties, mexican fiestas or boat launches,
your porch view through dirty rose colored glasses,
attracts the other orphaned hues.
baby poo yellow, dirty tangerine, bondi blue and swamp green.
they are the awkward lambs of junior high school.
their beauty is whispered about in the corners of vintage dance halls.
they will get their turn, content to tap their toes
to the subtle beat that emanates from your
tea length gown
-Alyn Carlson
painting by Florine Stettheimer
