late bloomer

when I was young
I picked my clothes
like flowers I chose
colors and shapes
that made me smile
I gave no thought
what others thought
about how I looked
as I got older my
mother began to
dress me in clothing
that made me look
like the daughter of
a fashionable woman
eventually society
taught me to dress
for success meaning
to attract a man
and to make other
women jealous
now I am back to
picking flowers

Cinse Bonino
2022