It was a deep slow river
In that sleepy
Bayou town
Winding its way toward the
gulf
Taking its time,
due to the heat I expect
Still is
I rarely saw its true shade
Dark burgundy only at sunset
When the last light of the day shone off the water
Long ago
In those warm evenings
She would bathe in cool peppermint water
Then dress in loose cotton
Letting the ceiling fan dry her hair
It was also the shade of her lipstick
Left with the cap off on a bedside table
Which was her nature
Still is