The Easter Dress

Thin, itchy dress,
Naked feet,
And a tummy full of colored eggs and chocolate,
She slips between the warm sheets,
And falls asleep.

Her mind dances,
Remembering egg hunts:
Soft green grass,
Cadbury’s golden sweets,
And the surprise of always winning.
She dreams of roast lamb,
Of grandparents,
Of family holding her close.

She wakes,
To find herself still in the clutches
Of the itchy Easter dress.
She grabs a yellow blanket,
And with feet still bare,
She tiptoes to the porch.

A yellow mass huddling on the plastic chair,
Sunrise still an hour away,
She drags her sleepy eyes over dark blue skies,
And lights her cigarette.

Nineteen years.
She wonders how many more are left;
Where chocolate eggs will appear attractive,
And Easter dresses, however itchy,
Are still adored.