Willow Pattern

He touched her skin and smiled,
You’re very white
He said.
She said nothing.

His fingers traced the veins
That ran along her wrist,
They look like willow pattern plates
He said.

I prefer my girls tanned
But you remind me of
Those plates in my grandmother’s house
He said.

Alabaster white with blue,
Willow trees and houses
He said.
I’m not your girl
She said.