Ralph Lauren’s Revelation Poem by Bill Grace

The clerks
were well aware
that the label
was purple.

Being country
I was ill informed
but have had
pretty good radar.

It was the shirt
that held me:
100% cashmere
long sleeve
functioning epaulets

earth tone plaid
purple intimation
not enough
to demand attention.

In this puritan’s universe
a crack
elegance – perfection - beauty
I was a virgin no more.

I had missed it,
unlike my undergraduate roommate,
I never knew
it was there -
one more thing
to prick a horse
from walk
to canter.