Fashion and Meaning and Time

Sometime early

Before the present light

We wore black

Only for mourning -

Only for those times of grieving

Losses noticeable even in times

Of so much loss.

_

It would be

Remarkable

Unusual

Just plain weird,

In fact

To wear black

In the normal course of affairs

As your attire of

Day-to-day.

_

Today

Time changes meaning

And wearing black is

Fashionable

Elegant

Just plain classy -

Little black dresses

With pearls and tailored

Suits for grooms

Standing silent waiting

For their brides.

_

But

_

In silent rooms

Empty of hope

In funeral parlours

We still dress in black

In those times of grieving

Losses in times

Of so little loss

_

And

_

If time has not

Changed meaning

Quite so much as we thought,

Perhaps the present

Is not so light.

_

What secret loss are we

Mourning -

Dressed in black in offices

And courthouses

And cocktail parties

And the crowded crush of concerts

On all the other days?