In My Purple Shirt

You cannot tell me anything

When I’m in my purple shirt

I hear the words you hurl my way

Believe me, they don’t hurt

My purple sleeves like chain mail

Purple pocket like a shield

I was sad in gray and navy blue

In purple, I am healed.

Look, I match the sky!

And the lilacs in the dirt!

I am floating

I am flowers

When I’m in my purple shirt.

I bought it with my money

And I hid it for a while

And every time I pulled it out

The colour made me smile

I’d try it on in secret

I’d lock the door and pose

I look so good in purple!

But what good if no one knows?

So long I dressed in neutrals

So long I wept and prayed

And now, so long to all of that

I am a different shade.