Spent

I admit
that there is something
a little naughty
hovering over
the exhausted tube of vermillion…
and possibly the lingerie…

And ok,
the lipstick…
on the teacup.

But surely not the red stiletto.

And the cigarette was actually
one that Ted gave me
which he said was one of Polly’s
and which came in a very smart clear plastic cylinder all it’s own
inside of that white faux leather covered box
complete with official looking stamp and seal.

And, though Polly lived to be nearly 100,
I can see her way back in the day
when those smokes were new
and red heels were all the rage…

brushing that tube of used-up paint off of Ted’s easel
draping herself over the arm of his wingchair…

and whispering sweet and seductive
thoughts of love
among the paint brushes.