Sat on the side of an unmade bed
duvet rumpled
staring into a void
wondering where she'd gone wrong,
The cracks,
strain,
pressure in her head
were never in the childhood game
playing women
Lipstick,
fags,
high heeled sophistication
of a well sought dame

The woman inside,
is crying hard
feels like she's choking on her heart
out of her mouth will soon come misery
spluttering, retching, emotion

Yet her features remain beautifully calm

She's got the quietness of danger
she's ready to pounce
for she was scorned
her pride had been trampled
her strength had been crushed
for she had forgotten her role
To do as she's told

Michelle Scally Clarke