My mother was a purist
Material aspects did not appeal to her
Life performed in traditional ways
Hair imperfect, unkempt, unkept
Clothes plain, unadorned, undecorated
Ever since I was a child
It seemed that she was happy this way
Appeared
Then there was one night
This one night I couldnt sleep so I searched the house
There she was
My single curious eye peering beyond the doorframe
She stared into the bathroom mirror
Face made different, scarlet lipstick, sapphire eyeshadow, smudged by desirous tears
One evening I played dress up
And searched within her wardrobe
There was a sequin dress, silky and wine stained
Hidden in the back
Stained with a sultry perfume that seemed so alien
Now twenty years have passed and
My mother is a purist
Material aspects make her life
Life performed in unconventional ways
Hair pristine, impeccable, immaculate
Clothes unorthodox, unafraid, unapologetic
Ever since i was a child