Make sure to wear purple somewhere
on your person (it could be hidden)
lilac budlets on little girl underpants
or red-violet denim Keds with zippers
Remember this advice
a butterfly barrette, plastic snap, blue-violet wings
or a striped plum beanie and knitted scarf in Massachusetts in January
or play with an Indigo dyed jump rope in the driveway in New Jersey
a periwinkle dream house for Barbie and Ken (you still
lived in Brooklyn) or that dress with the pale vertical
stripes on white
2 lavender ruffles on the hem
and a matching kerchief that tied beneath your chin

the dress
         you were given to wear     in first grade

         the way you remembered your Mother