silver
edge
institute
full moon
navy blue silk scarf
earl grey &
etiquette …
the epitome of proper
high-heeled lady
until you see
the lipstick stains on
the teacup
mauve, like the
bruises on her arms,
like the shadows
undereye
like the glass of cabernet left on the vanity
the glint of the rim
glimpsed in the mirror
slivered shards
and the diamonds on her wrist, fingerprints
a distraction
so her i-
ris reflects a
periwinkle sparkle
and with her tears, glassy droplets
she makes the morning dew
dripping
mercury
sterling
on the periwinkle blossoms
crystallized toxicity
the cloudy sky just before dawn
rumbles with envy and
the cacophony of crashing stilettos on marble
drifts away in the midnight gushing,
black blood
river of life