Feeling Good

Feeling Good

For two years right before I turned fifty-five
I was a platinum blonde
Cost me seventy dollars a month
To keep the roots at bay

There was, I’ve decided,
Something magical about that time
I bought things that I normally
Wouldn’t give a second glance

A baby blue Angora sweater
With buttons of pearl
A faux leopard wrap, fur collars and hats
Black high-heeled boots

So many sparkly things that
I had to buy a jewelry box on legs
Made out of mahogany
Just to keep track of my treasures

My lips were magenta or rose
And once, the dark red of fine rubies
My eyes powdered in colors of the sky at dusk
With just a hint of iridescent glitter

Felt like somebody then, I did!
Flirted shamelessly with my husband
Bought a thong but tugging it out of my ass
Just wasn’t ladylike

Replaced it with French cut panties of lace
Bras to match-in red
Nothing much had changed I guess,
Except the way I saw myself