Violet skirt with printed orchids doesn't fit around the lissome frame
A red-pink sash around your waist to keep it from falling to your feet
Scarves of silk and musty handbags and a beret to crown the gaudy outfit
Younger sister dressed a-similarly, with a baggy dress and a cape about-her
Playing dress-up is a joy, with exotic things from East and West
Strings of pearls and clip-on earrings press against the young pale flesh.
Giggling as they dance to songs on tape, each tinkling tune heard a thousand times and no less.
Falling to the toy-littered floor, laughing with unbridled bliss
As heartbeats slow they whisper tales of old, from Grimm and Goose and gamin words.
And when they rise a-jubilantly, determination is what their expressions hold.
Each eye is flecked with a star, and set on some unseen goal
They march from their playroom, dragging their ludicrous costumes
tiny feet tripping in the tangle of ancient clothes.
They shout and chant, and sing and bellow
lungs heaving the sound, louder, louder
until the high-pitched voices raise to a scream as they find the trove they wish to plunder.
Fair pirates they are now clambering onto the vessel.
Shouting orders, each claiming captain, as they search for the priceless desire.
They think themselves quite devious when they find the item of their eye
Translucent is the object, and it bears the sweetest thing worth childhood guile.
They stretch their ams up, reward at the top, shouting:
“Cookies, cookies, cookies!”
For fair pirates do not wish for gold or jewels, simply a sweet goody.