Elizabeth O'Donnell: "Controversy"

Controversy   
​                                                              Prince, 1958-2016
When my mother saw Prince
In the ice cream aisle of a small chain
Grocery store, he wore
A sheer lavender scarf. The tassels
Feathered a freshly polished six string.
Mom’s knees buckled, sweat broke her brow.
She smelled his starfish and coffee
Permeating the frosted glass doors
All the way from the frozen pizzas
Where he stood, contemplating veggie or cheese.
Under the fluorescent lights
The lenses of his midnight sunglasses
Prismed across the linoleum, square
By square. He turned to her, index finger
Resting on a pouted bottom lip.
His upturned collar accentuated
Perfectly groomed chest hair, swept under
A half buttoned lilac silk shirt.
She reached for a pint of raspberry sorbet,
Hands glistening with nervousness,
Second guessing her desired flavor. Wavering,
She looked to Prince for safety
In this choice, and in that moment
She swears he mouthed the words
Act your age, mama, not your shoe size.

Elizabeth is 23 and got married this July to the inspiration of 63% of her poetry. She has been previously published by The Central Review, Temenos Literary Journal, and Third Wednesday. She is currently job searching in hopes of picking up a science teaching position this fall near Grand Haven, Michigan. 

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