Suit Yourself

Suit Yourself - June 21 2009

I have become the old woman
with the stretched-out bathing suit
in the locker room
whom I saw years ago
folded in upon herself
near the hooks
where her clothes hung.

I was young then, thinking,
“Why doesn’t she get a new suit?”
Now, I wonder if, perhaps
she couldn’t afford one
or maybe, she just didn't care.

I am joining a long line
of women in stretched-out suits
unwilling to deny myself
the pleasure of a morning swim
in a faded suit and wrinkled body.

Who sees us anyway?