A poem from Madhuri’s most recent book, To Hills and Waterfalls: a Californian in Calderdale.
At TJ Maxx in Kansas City
I bought a pair of black velvet
bell-bottoms
with a crown picked out in rhinestones
on the right thigh.
An excellent, well-fitting pair of trews —
Later on I wore them
in a 5Rhythms group in Switzerland
where we were supposed to contact
a variety of emotions.
Some people laughed
and pointed meanly
at the crown.
The Brits don’t care —
You can wear anything here —
But it did ...