Dress Code (Poetry)

As far as I’m aware
there is no timescale set these days
for mourning
yet I sense I grieved too many years —
the shadow of that dingy coat
dogged me like a warning
one can only wear black for so long
before it becomes a second skin.

So I called down the rainbow —
cut out its bolder stripes
and followed a new pattern —
found a colour I felt more
alive in.

I wore it up and down the street
and felt the rush —
the dazzling relief
in being bright —
flamboyant in my dress.

The day paraded on...
shone gaudy in a sunset’s scarlet silk
before dull folds of dusk could veil it
evening light
toned down the drama —
midnight saw me wear
darkest blue cinched at the waist
fireflies spangling my hair.