She Wanted Purple Jeans for Christmas
They say purple people really love purple.
And that is so true of my Grandma Carolyn.
If she could, she’d dye all she owns with orchil,
And put food coloring in her chicken-and-dumplings.
Grandma loves her irises, but I hope
One day she’ll have violets, lilacs, and bellflower
Because she’s faithful, loving, gracious, and gold.
Maybe she’ll get those with this spring’s showers.
I hope she knows that to me, she is mulberry.
Healing, protecting amethyst and devoted lavender.
A serene periwinkle and strong like my pawpaw’s plum trees.
On her irises, rests a purple emperor.
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Kalina Smith is a writer of gothic and literary fiction and confessional nonfiction and poetry. She is a high school English teacher in Arkansas. She has previously been published in Nebo, A Literary Journal, Free Spirit, The Ignatian, FLARE: The Flagler Review, and the Cackling Kettle.
