To wear a white shirt is to

Say to the Day,

You will Go Accordingly: No spills.

It is to be a woman who is careful of

coffee and sins and crumbs.

It is to be Jackie O with her chin on

her clean, clean hand.

A bride blushing with secrets.

A baby who does not yet know

coffee or its name.

It is to be a man on his way to work,

To merge and purchase things,

Careful of ketchup and ink.

It is to be light and untethered,

paper and snow.

It is to be the person you

Are meant to be but

Can’t. Unbroken, stainless, bright.