by Sonya Feher

The kind of girl I am
goes out at eleven
to bring the trash can
from the street in silk
pajamas (the ones
Tanya talked me into,
blue - to feel sexy
for myself - no man,
not a man).

I only went so far as this
teal because maroon felt
extravagant, not a good color
to sleep in. I'd dream of blood.

Maroon is dressing for adventures,
pale skin and bright eyes. It's
vampires and overripe berries.

It's a color I told myself
I couldn't wear because
I hennaed my hair
and the shades clashed.

The kind of girl who wears
maroon is offered drinks
in bars and asked for
her number by strangers.
I was never that kind.

Maroon is for parties
and demicup bras,
for garter belts and
lunchtime sex in a cheap hotel.

Maroon is broken hearts
and fingernail polish, rose
petals half dead.
It is hungover eyes and
rage enough to hit a child.

I've always been wary of that
color.

© 1999 Sonya Feher
One of Austin Poetry Slam's hosts, Sonya Feher won 4th place (of 41 competitors) at the Taos Poetry Circus Open Slam in June. Her poetry was recently featured online at Poetry Tonight. She soon begins her MFA in Poetry at Southwest Texas State University.