Christine Stoddard

The Burgundy Girls


Siomi and Sybil, Sybil and Siomi--the burgundy girls bound by the blood
that spurted from their wrists and pretty fingers that white winter afternoon.
Forever--to be--forever clever, forever chaste, forever lovely in their lace.
Only kiss gentlemen. Never stomp through the snow. Plan for each bridge.
We are ladies, sweet, stylish ladies, who worship dolls, books, and bows.
The exterior reflects the interior, so always brush, braid, polish, and powder.
We know no lows, only angelic highs,  only rich dyes, only the custom size,
only letters, only dreams, only the belief that Elegance is what she seems.
Siomi and Sybil, Sybil and Siomi--the burgundy beauties of fine breeding.
They force their pocket watches to make time for grooming AND reading.
Bound by titters, bound by tea parties, bound by yesterday's silver wishes,
bound by lilac, bound by grace, bound by their own type of strange faith...