I throw away
the slacks of solitude
socks of solitude
leggings
bloomers
crinoline
chemise

lace bib
buckram ruff
jerkin
over-blouse
of solitude

sash
cummerbund
foulard

raincoat
great-coat
cape
poncho
parka
shawl shawl

top hat tiara
beret fedora
cloche of solitude

girdle garters corset half-slip

pajama
robe
kimono
night-gown
wrapper

slipper
sandal Stop

I’ll keep the shoes
of solitude.

Sarah White is the author of  Alice Ages and Ages (BlazeVox, 2010), a book of variations, and Cleopatra Haunts the Hudson (Spuyten Duyvil, 2007), poems. She lives, writes, and paints in Manhattan.