Inspired by 3.11, Lady in Red

Another Lesson for Wayward Women

A figure in the window,
on a staircase, or a stage,

in your hotel room, she drifts past
the bed, dressed in a gown of red,

the color of passion, of anger,
of sex, love, blood,

the color of birth and death,
and she, sex worker, or simply

not a nun, or a saint,
murdered after partying, or by a jealous lover—
or his wife—

wanders, not seeking vengeance,
a temptress trapped between worlds,
lost in time.

Paul Brookes is hosting a month-long ekphrastic challenge using folklore images to celebrate the launch of his new poetry collection, “As Folktaleteller.” You can see the images here and also read the other responses.