gentle, like the
dips, and
grooves,
and soft protrusions of a skeleton,
but more alive, like muscle tissue
over my skull; woolen proteins
fortifying my ears against chill,
keeping my hair stretched taut
against my scalp and finishing
with a flourish of purled texture
cascading abruptly to my neck.
i liked it because it matched
the lining of my jacket,
it tied my reds together,
i liked it because it made me
stick out like a sore thumb
looking to catch a ride to
San Francisco or detention,
i liked it because it caught me up
in the eight legs of disapproval,
(even though they respected me
in the utmost, they still tripped
me something fierce)
i liked it because it taught me selflessly
never to wear it again.