Compliance. Poem by Fay Slimm

Let the masquerade start.

Now locked safely away, restricted and mute
is her subdued heart,
neatly boxed,
disciplined, strong-tied, and nicely presented
to show whole compliance.

Her pictured hopes deleted now by duty
She lays dreaming aside, and
decides to accede.

With reality not in the way the play can begin.

All is accomplished,
now face set. make-up mask
Hardened into a smile, she stands reliably ready.

The world will see only an acceptable show.
Done now and dusted,
tranformance complete, she enters
to give unflagging performance
of substitute love.

Staging then set she emerges for well rehearsed part.

But bleeding inside,
never seen,
is her hidden caged heart.