ann,  her name was ann.       my cousin.



slight, blond, flat chested.  almost hollow

as I wished to be.



I think it was a whimsy shade of blue

with glass buttons, the style of dress

she always wore.



voile.



she grew tall

and it came to me

.



mother said it did not suit me, I wore tailored.



I felt out of place  at parties.



mother gave it to the girl next door

as always:           I saw her wear it.



recently I bought a red version, hung it

on the wall.



there is



an eternal wish to be hollow.

sbm.