inside/outside
babies stood in cribs
smell of urine permeated
building locked
kept crime out or in
cheeks of rouge
lips of pearl
nails of gloss
woman of grandeur
red silk stockings
magenta hip skirt
blue ankle boots
woman of night
bass loud
bouncing chevy
stopped at curb
paying customer
neon flamingo
creaking door
vibrating bed
ned was dead
early morning dew
glistens on the daffodils
reaching for the sun
wet tears drop slowly
down baby’s porcelain cheeks
morning sun dries, soothes
ned was dead
bled on the
bedspread
knife in chest
woman of grandeur
closed creaking door
woman of night
ripped red silk stockings
flickering flamingo
in mirror of bouncing chevy
she drove away
left dead ned on bed
–Judy L. Brekke