Felicia Mitchell
Felicia Mitchell's most recent poetry collection is Waltzing with Horses (Press 53). Since 1987, she has taught English and creative writing at Emory & Henry College in Virginia. In addition to writing poetry, she writes creative nonfiction, including columns for Cure Today, an online resource for those interested in cancer. Her website: www.feliciamitchell.net
Frosted Apricot
Felicia Mitchell
Mama was right.
The color is good on me—
though now, 16 years later,
it feels a little stale.
Why did I wait so long
to try the lipstick?
Why did I just look,
and shrug, and dismiss
another suggestion
to try to fix myself up.
She told me then
I had so much more,
so much more to work with,
than she did.
She never believed.
She never believed
she was beautiful.
She thought I was,
or could be,
with just the right shade
of lipstick.
Today, cleaning my drawers,
I want to wear the lipstick.
It looks good with my white hair.
I wish Mama could see me.
Or maybe she does.
Maybe even now,
even after death,
she knows she was right.