Norton And Coliseum Poem by Euan Hazeldine

Norton and Coliseum,
mangled waxen limbs in mangled amber weeds.
What had i done to deserve this?
Was it my willingness to accept the kindness of strangers?
Or my search for a life of ignorant bliss?

Norton and Coliseum,
hennae red curls frame a discoloured citrine face.
I only ever wanted to be loved, and feel loved,
to never feel the vulnerability i constantly endured,
not to be dismantled by hands that cruelty gloved.

Norton and Coliseum,
a deranged grin carved into alabaster skin.
What had i done to provoke your want to hurt me so?
Was it my tearful objections to your sleazy intentions?
Or my hand to mouth existance that in your eyes sank me so low?

Norton and Coliseum,
vindictive feet trample over morning dew.
Why would you intend my reputation for such dismay?
Leaving me at the mercy of those hideous vultures,
my blanched flesh on display.


Norton and coliseum,
filthy red lies dance across a tacky page.
Why are they tarring me with such lies?
What would my mother and sisters now think of me?
Where is the redemption of truth for which my soul cries?

Norton and coliseum,
who is this girl they masquerade with such deviant names?
Some say I was a tease, whose coy attitude was to blame,
some say I was somone who walked the line, the wayward girl who was asking to die.
But in fact, I was just another starry eyed girl, seeking the bright lights of tinsletown fame.

I was someone's daughter, someone's sister, someone's freind.
My name wasnt the dahlia, my name was Beth Short,
I was only 22 years old,
when my life had been cut so short.