Woman Poet – NZ

My White Shirt

you remind me
of a nose bleed
on a short day

far too much blood
for such a little cut

I wore a white shirt
I prayed for rain

I walked through
the rooms

& whispered to
keep up with
the quiet

it was a sin
to stand out
a sin to shout

if you transgress
they hose you clean
in the back room

with a
running tap

with four
white walls

& easy chairs
grinning like insanity

Johanna Aitchison