Silk Dress

I overheard the family discussing how Alison would like to be dressed when she passed and it was so beautiful, so poignant, so painful.  They have chosen the silk dress that her twin made for her for her commitment ceremony when she committed her life to Mark 20 years ago.  I haven't seen her wearing it (typical of me that i had flu on the day of their ceremony plus an ex-girlfriend was going to be there and i just didn't feel strong enough to cope) so this poem is pure imagination...

It sits so perfectly across your hips

falls that way that only silk can

down your tranquil torso,

lies across your collar bones

softly strokes your tender skin.

If you move it will follow

silent waves of shimmering threads,

if you dance it will caress you

gently holding as you twirl.

You do not move at all or breathe

the dress lies still

flat calm of endless sea

as perfect as the day you wore it

to be betrothed

to your true love.

Twenty years have hurled past

three children have joined the dance

and all the time the dress lay waiting

for the perfect moment

to re-emerge.

You never dreamed your twin would sew

such an excellent, gorgeous gown

(though you knew how keen her eye,

how neat her hand)

This dress, it took your breath away

turned your sealskin into silk

and now you wear it (it wears you)

and the boundless ocean calls you back

you slip from human form to selkie

and the waves rise up to greet you.