The woman in a short fur coat
looks good on her though
faux fur ages most
save the very young and broken
with blackened eyes and sore cheeks
she defies rules
thin wristed yet strong
muscles hidden beneath boiled wool
it is speculation that excites
what’s beneath the sound?
of her stockings against their silk lining
the chimeric of her cleaving
slim to rising, freckles in sunlight
how many years did she?
dip her blood red toes from the pier in blue one piece
the steps are painted white
reflecting sun
taking shelter in place
once a ballet dancer
learning her shape
years scrape
against bone
long the thought
then skin is sloughed
and scales shimmer
beneath the grey and green
swell