clare’s song
blonde fair bleached faded pale pastel light
blameless clean innocent guiltless pure clear
anatomy build figure person physique form
complexion countenance hue mien tint cast
bead dab dash ounce iota spot trace drop
succeed qualify answer do suffice suit pass
authorization permit ticket license paper visa pass
effortless facile moderate smooth undemanding light
abandon dismiss disown quit reject renounce drop
jump leap hurdle negotiate surmount vault clear
actors artists characters company players roles cast
behavior manner conduct custom practice rite form
arrange assemble concoct create devise forge form
cross depart flow go move proceed travel pass
copy duplicate facsimile mold plaster replica cast
amusing gay merry blithe pleasing witty light
accumulate gain acquire net realize secure clear
decrease decline downturn reduction slump drop
bleed dribble leak ooze seep splash trickle drop
character class grade make species variety form
audible lucid coherent distinct plain precise clear
canyon cut gap gorge path opening ravine pass
airy buoyant delicate feathery unsubstantial light
emit radiate diffuse spray spread scatter cast
appoint assign designate choose name pick cast
abyss chasm descent dip plunge precipice drop
angle approach aspect attitude slant viewpoint light
application sheet chart questionnaire blank form
advance overture proposition approach play pass
absolute convinced decided satisfied sure clear
bare empty free stark vacant vacuous void clear
boot fling heave hurl launch project toss cast
predicament crisis contingency plight state pass
collapse duck flop tumble pitch plummet drop
format framework order scheme structure form
beacon bulb dawn flash ray shine torch light
model pattern fashion form appearance contour cast
luminous radiant clear sunny ablaze aglow light
ebb fade wane depart drop end die decease pass
—after nella larsen
From the new black. Copyright © 2011 by Evie Shockley. Used with the permission of Wesleyan University Press.