Gift from Grandpa by Brigita Pavshich

He gave her a dress – yellow

with white application in front,

so pretty with pockets and straps.

She nags at Mamma to allow

her to wear it right now

right now

because she wants to be like the sun

yellow and blazing.

With her shadow

she plays hide and seek

glittering in the windows

as she walks past like the sun over a creek.

It’s the whispers of envy

that make her stop in her twirl

self-conscious in her splendid frock

she catches a glimpse in the glass –

a mere girl who wishes to be like the sun.

The dress now lies in a heap, crumpled,

a yellow puddle, a sunset on the floor

of her bedroom, unworn,

pretty with empty pockets.

Brigita Pavshich lives in Slovenia. She has published short stories and poems in All Things Girl and Your Messages collection. She works as a literary translator and is currently finishing her first novel. She can also be found at her website: http://www.pausesbetweenthenotes.com