SHOPPING IN MONTMARTE

I undress in a riff of traffic
and footsteps.  A dog pushes
his nose against the curtain
to nuzzle my bare legs
as I wriggle out of jeans.

Dark eyes watch as I step
into a square of sun
trying these tight pants
that silk dress.

A woman in white and black
dances in front of the mirror
hips moving above high heels.
Women call to each other
over racks of creamy linen.
The mime on the street corner
sweeps sunshine into broken bits.

I want to taste the rich colours
of this slanting street --
glowing fruits, bolts of fabric
bright awnings, bold umbrellas.
I wrap my neck
with deep blue and purple.
I touch my body
with brick red silk.

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Published in Kalliope: A Journal of Women's Literature and Art