Jo

15

Solstice

Paper dresses—burning apricot
splashed with summer light,
illuminating
painted toes in the sand
peeking out from ruffled hems.

Powdery purple stamen
burst forth with faint
fragrance of bergamot—
soaked in anise—or perhaps
peppercorn, crushed.

Prickly leaves—armor
against a gypsy moth, more ravenous
than a laggard,
iridescent eight-legged
ash borer bettle.

Blossoms—tangerine—
a taffeta gown,
basted
to a yeilding
stem.

Will you dance with me tonight?