She wears her death penalty dress,

soothing the creases

and taming the crinoline.

Beguiling, she hopes, claiming

to have been brought here on purpose.

“Look at me!” the gown pleads, whispering,

tired, overdone.

Wrong cut, poor fabric.

But, she insists that the dress

is not only fashionable

but trendsetting,

as others swish by in more

progressive textures and tones,

the colors New Mexico is known for.