I just smelled fried fish
And I remember
My fresh hips
    

Falling from side to side
Bare feet stepping swiftly
On the hot side walk
Short dress cuffing
My forming thighs
As I move discreetly sassy
Down the street

A don’t bother me Miss
On important business
Going to the post office
For my father
Five shoeboxes
Under my arms
Gonna mail these sandals C.O.D.
Bring in the money

I move discreetly, sassy
Catching wafts
Of last night’s beer
From bar room doors
Cotton candy and saltwater taffy
And a street full of summer smiles

I move sassy
With thirteen years
Under this belt
My mother made
Burnished with her cracked hands
Brown with shoemaker’s dye

Moving sassy
Eyes straight ahead
A don’t bother me Miss
Hoping to catch a promise
Of something else