armed robbery boots

I almost posted Edna St. Vincent Millay today, but then I decided to post this one, instead. It's sort of startling that I've never posted this poem before.

this is my suicide dress
she told him
I only wear it on days
when I'm afraid
I might kill myself
if I don't wear it

you've been wearing it
every day since we met
he said

and these are my arson gloves

so you don't set fire to something?
he asked

exactly

and this is my terrorism lipstick
my assault and battery eyeliner
my armed robbery boots

I'd like to undress you he said
but would that make me an accomplice?

and today she said I'm wearing
my infidelity underwear
so don't get any ideas

and she put on her nervous breakdown hat
and walked out the door

—Denver Butson, "What She Was Wearing," from Illegible Address, 2004.