The Code Of Dress

By Justine C. Tajonera

When I can wear anything,
I wear only one
thing.

My body has learned
to speak in codes
of comfort
and delight.

My toes have learned
to uncurl and
demand
freedom.

My heels, while rough
and worn,
have dug down,
close to the earth,
refusing to be put
on a pedestal.

My skin has learned
the subtleties of
temperature,
slowly warming up
or cooling down,
with not much need
for the artifice
of air conditioning.

When the rainbow
is presented
to this monarch,
she chooses
the simplicity of
denim
blues
and cotton
prints
and staple
unruffled
black.

I listen closely now
for freedom
has warranted
the absolutes
of choice.

(Dec. 22, 2009)

Image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianteutsch/72243320/