One and Two

The choir is singing,

Six of them

dressed up for high-schoolers.

My mother is on the floor

of the gym,

sitting,

watching.

But all I can see

are the two girls.

One:

straight-straight red-red

hair to her shoulders

freckles, but maybe I imagined them,

white sweater, pink leotard,

blue purple sequined skirt,

black leggings,

mud boots.

Two: 

white hair, uncombed, curlyish,

red sweater dress,

purple leggings, sparkles on them,

shine sneakers

with velcro and pink heels.

One and Two:

Hands clasped

Like they've never known how

to do anything else

held together

like they couldn't let go.