just at dusk I draw them

to keep out falling night

I wanted maroon or grey

she usually won the fight

 

brown velvet inspired her

reminded her of school

she'd sat on it many times

it covered her class stool

 

portal of pleated shrouds

hanging before my gaze

mourns that freezing night

a phantom crimson haze

 

they ought to come down

the fabric frames her face

she's all in brown velvet

set off with chantilly lace

 

the crematorium drew

curtains of ebony black

made of crushed velvet

if only she'd come back