Celebration

by Lilian Cohen

Stunning in black

from top to toe

she checks in the mirror

her grooved mottled skin

the cap of red curls unevenly dyed

and now somewhat thin

rehearses her smile

to show her crowned teeth

and drapes her red scarf

to hide the wattles of age

but in her mind’s eye

she slips all her old lovers

into each artful fold

struts the tango eternal

and smolders at time

with a shiver of beads

in the moonlight

* * * * *

© Lilian Cohen 2005