~ Originally published in the March 2024 issue of The Argyle Literary Magazine; Photo by Iryna Limborska on Unsplash

cavalier women chase

a powder-blue hat

down a windy thoroughfare

*

they balance Easter eggs

on upturned teacups

under a globular sun,

*

left hands stroking

the unruffled feathers

of a great horned owl

*

while a circle

of Slovakian tourists

marvel at their feats

*

of dexterity

and fierce bravado—

each is wearing high heels

*

after all, mounted

on roller skates,

ankles cloaked

*

in cashmere stockings,

their delicate earlobes

dripping in malachite