A real head turner—

mascara holding

as she cut down Reynolds

on a borrowed beach cruiser.

Steel handlebars

clutched by nails

painted plum that morning.

Wearing Converse with confidence,

her cadence was cavalier.

Heels strung across

her bare back,

black dress,

rim reflectors and sequins

taking turns

catching headlights.

Bike chained to the

closest yielding yield sign,

right there on the corner.

The Chucks came off,

the heels slid on

with nonchalant elegance,

like she’s done this before.

Sneakers snuck into an

unconsenting mulberry bush.

Too rushed to smile

at the usher,

no purse, no phone, no time—

just a messy bun,

her roommate’s heels,

and a sequined

black dress.