Did you see her, lover?
With those high denim pumps with
embroidered butterflies dancing over her
click click pointed heel. Such small feet!
Ruby nails peek out like

the white lace prelude that slips
from under a dark skirt.

Was this mismatched ensemble
selected in the dark? Under the sun-yellow glare
of tight-sleeve tight-cleavage blouse, a garden scarf
tied carelessly, missing the back belt loop entirely...


Did you see her, lover?


Baby, please, tell me
how many Peseta hang
from your black leather cord?

Castilla la Mancha,
I want to feel heaviness of real copper coins
clicking teeth, burning
medallion marks onto your back.

Pressed until lungs clear
with acceptance.



...yes, darling yes of course!
But lover, tell me, did you not see her?
Let us take this one home
dress her up and paint coral
over her stubbed toe beauty.


� 2004 by Jenifer VanBuren