I wore a long-sleeved black dress;

chiffon, bow tied at the front

and floating,

floating but heavy.

You said I looked nice today and

I wheedled out a ‘thank you’ with a side joke

of ‘don’t I always?’

Just keep it light hearted, don’t think about it.

Keira Knightley plays Colette,

a true story about a man’s power

and a woman’s fight to recover hers,

but you’re oblivious to its significance

and the meaning saunters past you.

I think the meaning sauntered past him too,

last time I wore this black dress at the cinema.

I don’t remember what we watched but

I can point you to our seats,

describe how he was sat on my right,

sweaty hand on my leg crossed away from him,

eyes baring down into my skin

and my red summer shoes,

where no amount of clicking those heels

would ever get me home.


Roz is a spoken word performer and internationally published poet living in West Yorkshire, England. She has been published in a number of journals, zines and anthologies, including most recently with Dear Damsels, Panoply Zine and Token Magazine. Her work has been on exhibit with London Design Festival, What You Saying, and performed at Leeds International Festival and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She is a recurring guest editor for Printed Words Journal. Keep up to date with Roz by visiting her website http://www.undercompulsionpoetry.com or following her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaverroz/