inspired by Jackie 🙂

Someone called it “Shrek green”
and from behind my laughter, I wondered
if the rest of the world sees my painted nails
as more juvenile
than serene.

When my eyes scanned the shelves, this color had drawn me in,
reminding me of the jade bangle
encircling my friend’s wrist
to ward off bad luck during the year of her zodiac,
and the folk stories about this hue of green
promising health and fortune
before the cross and crucifix colonized
our traditions.

Tomorrow, I will fix
my chipped nails
with the naïve hope that the color
will help me to reclaim
my ancestors.