'Rational Dress' and Other Poems

Rational Dress

for Marie & Pierre Curie

They took their honeymoon on bicycles;
she in 'rational dress' of bloomers, shirtwaist, linen washing hat; 
he in modest-shouldered blazer, silk four-in-hand, love.
'Don't wear laced boots,' the newspaper cautioned.
Don't wear long hued leggings, man's cap, tight garter,
white kid glove or have your golden hair hanging down your back.

'Don't without a needle, thread and thimble.'
It didn't mention beaker, Erlenmeyer flask, dropper pipette,
electrometer, burette, evaporating dish, common sense.
Wed by natural science and civil union, Marie accepted Jesus
lost, along with her mother and sister to typhus. Taciturn condition.
She needn't have read: 'Don't go to church in your bicycle costume.'

She wore her dark blue wedding dress for years on end
in the shed laboratory -  once medical dissecting room - 
...