The Tomato-coloured Couch 8:27pm
I remember the preparations
for Bed
in The Psychiatric Ward
usually completed
because there was nothing
else to do
but change out of Your Tee
& Jeans
& take Your Pyjamas
off the back
of Your Single Chair
or out of Your Top Drawer
if You happened to be
tidy that day
brushing Your Teeth
because You knew
You had to
brushing Your Hair
not because You felt like it
but because You
had to look at Your Self
in the mirror
not for the last time
The Tomato-coloured Couch 4:33pm
I think back
to That Night of Black Magic
when I was dressed in beaded
dark grey lace
enthroned by the mink
of a dead mother-in-law
— silver heels decked
My Feet
rhinestones spiralled around My Neck
The Place was packed
when I tottered in
to drink only water
next I looked
The Place was cleared
but for My Party Of Six
My Truest Friends
out for fried fish & burgers
& cranberry puddng
until unforecasted snow
compelled Us to go
leaving no shoe
behind
The Hawk Queen Bed 9:39am
I go to bed
with the sexiest man I know
to dream My Dreams
& wake up
to coffee in the morning
& the latest report
on Gold
Joanna Gilman Hyde 