just mercedes

she doesn't trust colours
since she learned they can't exist
independently

now she finds this spring display
distasteful

like stale perfume
in a ball gown

fretful she strikes
random piano keys

in time with quivering shadows
falling from unseen world
across the library carpet's
faded pattern

fade
shade
stale
jade

almost she wants to crush
that vase of roses
hates blind mouths of flowers
drinking light
like nipple-latched babies

tears gather
in corners of her eyes
shadows thrown from an unknown
future

day and night the sea
says the same thing
now she'll never learn
the words