Cosplay 1

Blair Dame*

Usually confined to an arcade screen,
you kick, pummel bad guys, but here you are,
in the flesh, showing us dimpled shoulders,
which overflow the hem of your white top.

Black bands on biceps bulge. Sheathed in fingerless,
thumbless gloves, your hands -- ivory nails perfect
though you throw punches -- rest, arms akimbo
atop your hips, which, spreading wide inside
flesh-colored tights, make your leotard a thong.

Thick thighs descend into black over-knee
boots that end in wickedly pointed heels.

We see your face in profile, framed by blue
cascade of curls tumbling past your ears, cheeks.
With the corner of your eye, you dare us
to mistake you for a plump teenager.

* video game character found in the Street Fighter EX series developed by Arika.

Copyright © 2011 by Anthony W. Artuso