lipstick

my girlfriend

ran away to university.

to the coast

and lived with strangers.

we travelled to see her,

three wild girls

fresh from the city.

they took us to the town

we drank and danced

i kept rebecca's lipstick

in the bag i always held

while she danced,

free.

i dreamed i could be so beautiful

i wanted to be-

we came home,

deflated.

i went to my bedroom

emptied my purse

found her lipstick

dark and seductive

and half-used.

night came,

we drank again

i put it on my lips,

went out

and found myself new.