Dignity in Ritual Petticoats

The rose is like a courtly dance in New

Orleans two centuries ago.  In shape

The blossom has formality as true

As layered dresses launched in crêpe

De chine across the ballroom floor.  The scheme

Of petals in their strata, patterns, and their

Curls is like a grand quadrille which has the theme

Of stateliness in softly stiffened prayer

By nuns in meditation’s flounces.  Grand

Though bud-like, ceremony’s pattern states

Its logic in a loveliness like fanned

Valse steps in elegance of silk-light weights.

These tea rose lavenders are like the flow

Of dreams of suave cotillions long ago.