Tonight's Poet Corner: Maroon

Maroon
by Belinda Roddie

Maroon:

The color of her necktie, the
lipstick on her mouth. The clip
holding her overgrown bangs against
her golden scalp. A napkin draped
across an abundant lap. A curtain
over a frosted window to her left.

She raises her glass to happiness
and love, and her Cabernet
matches the tablecloth, the laces
on her shoes, the buttons on
her gray blazer's sleeves. Then,

when she stands up, the glint
of blue catches her eye, as
one of the more esteemed guests
approaches her side of the table
with a smile glowing above
the collar of her flowing,
periwinkle gown.