Black Dress

The bottom eight inches of my black dress swish when I walk, and twirl when I turn. It's of a different material than the rest of the dress, which is a comfortable cotton blend reminiscent of T-shirts. But those eight inches of a light floaty fabric forming a handkerchief hem - or at least that is what I think it's called - livens it up with movement. It has taken me many years to find a black dress I feel attractive in.

Accessorizing for a black dress isn't difficult, either, given my penchant for gemstone jewelry. I just have to choose something that will show against the black: that peacock brooch of sapphires and diamonds from my mother, or that jade pendant with my gold chain, with my gold earrings.

Would that be a waste though? Perhaps I can accessorize with real flowers instead. Roses or lilies. Not carnations - those are so mumsy.

As for shoes, I only have a pair of black wedges. I am not a shoe person. I'm only concerned with comfort. I would want a book with me, too. Maybe Tolkien's the Lord of the Rings, or Pratchett's Night Watch, even if I don't know if I would be able to read on the way to the hereafter. I'd like to imagine that I can.