Blue and New

You pretend you don’t see her

when she stands there in  front of you,

when she strips off her layers of dignity

and paints herself with pretence.

You just don’t see it.

 

You pretend you can’t hear her

as she screams her quiet protests,

and when she throws your memories off the dresser

you try to ignore it.

 

You pretend you won’t speak to her

so she questions her answers

and when she puts on ideals for you

you fail to notice them.

 

You pretend you don’t see her

when she applies sensuality and lip gloss

and as her body sings its rhythms for you

you just won’t listen.

 Bettie Brightly x