Beach Towel Fashion Show Jennifer Nichols Matted hair dried in tangles A spotlight, warm on sun-kissed cheeks Paparazzi flashes on freshwater ripples Swelling with anticipation of the next haute couture— Seaweed bracelets and Coppertone parfum. Michigan jewels soaking in the grit of a green dollar store bucket Rummaged through by a myriad of hands To find that one particular piece with a hole big enough for a sand-grass tie. We twist our hips toward the waves with high marching knees, pushing Toes of chipped blue polish into the sand. A wooden runway begging for more thrills, giggles, and life. The chatter of seagulls applauding our makeshift terrycloth skirts Shifting like the tide into a wrap dress, Off the shoulder, ankle length with a slit up the side. Freshwater breeze turning up wisps of hair and edges of gowns. Head wraps become the next 17-second fad Coming in all colors: blue with stripes of orange and gold Pink with Popsicles, and a grunge-look wrap with its faded gray, torn and frayed. The finale brings a fashion combo, lanky legs and scraped-up knees Two shivering bodies admiring the art.
Still Life 2020
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