i once saw a flowered dress

i once saw a flowered dress
hanging on a clothes line
like a Tibetan prayer flag
on a balcony to the stars

i wondered of its history
from where the cotton came
whose stitches
what label of origin
it was given

was it happy,
hanging there
in the ocean breeze
was she sad
about the tear?

did bees buzz about
the scarlet poppies?
did butterflies?

and so the last train
to the center of the universe
picked up speed
gained momentum
and in my imagination
i wear that dress
i wear my heart
upon its sleeve.