Image: Eugène Atget, Boulevard de Strasbourg, Corsets, c. 1912.
Richelle Lee Slota ( Macy’s
I shopped for gifts poetic in Lingerie.
Aisles of bras began to fill with breasts,
Rows of gowns with taut silk nipples.
Cosmetics dumped aphrodisiacs
In the air conditioning. I loved and
Lusted in Bridal.
Bells rang. Women burst from fitting rooms.
Those men observed in Foundations,
Were caught and subdued. Mannequins mouthed O’s.
Security cavorted buck naked in Furniture.
The store manager uncorked in Liquor.
Richelle Lee Slota (formerly known as Richard) writes poetry, novels, and plays. Her poetry chapbook is Famous Michael; her novel, Stray Son. She lives in San Francisco. Her poems have appeared in Yellow Silk, Caveat Lector, Quercus, Rogue Agent, Pratik, Blue Bird Anthology, and Blue Buildings. She serves as a Meter Keeper, teaching meter to other women in Annie Finch’s online Poetry Witch Community.