|
Miss Pringle
pondered summer outfits for
The holiday, and typed a letter to
A Danish friend requesting her mature
Advice, and in reply received this view:
''Choose something long in light material
And matching shades-- a top chemise, deep-cut,
Or with spaghetti straps, asymmetrical
In bottom line, 'layer on layer' skirt,
Not wrinkled, straight, with
high slits, (can you blend
Good courage with fine legs?) And a short blouse
With sleeves. Well-fitting high-heeled sandals lend
A final touch''. Miss Pringle thought of these,
And sighing, picked the letter up and read:
''Colours this summer are: white, sand, olive,
Lilac, (and always marine blue). Indeed,
Both blue and white are classical--- and give
Attention to the lilac shades; combined
Unskillfully, an older, matron-look
Results! And yellow can be nice, but mind--
It may attract black flies''. Miss Pringle took
Her fine-rimmed spectacles in one slim hand
And laid them gently on the table at
Her side, to now consider what her friend
Had said. Now for the letter's final part:
''My philosophy is that makeup should
Present the woman-- not the other way
Around. An older face if heavy-rouged
Will merely show its age the more-- why try
To outmanoeuvre nature? Youth has gone.
A kiss-resistant lipstick-shade to match
Your own is just the thing!-- the perfect tone
For marking up the lips, avoiding blotch''.
Miss Pringle paused, considering acute
Her friend's philosophy, reminded now
Of having read of, 'art concealing art',
Then smiled, and put the letter by. Oh how
Characteristic of her friend-- that mix
Of spice and spikiness, pedantic charm
And informed wit, sweet, familiar tricks
Of quirky understatement; a style warm,
Immediate and strange. Kiss-resistant
Lipstick indeed! Who ever heard of that!
She laughed aloud in pleasure at the thought--
Then out she went for costumes---and a hat.
~Stanley~
 |
