Affliction drives her hardened heart’s intent br While pity masks the mysteries of her truth br And comforts her with mutated hope. br br She contemplates the days gone by, br When the luster of her countenance, br Concealed the frailty of her dreams. br And visions of escape assail her crowded mind br To suppress the swelling of her fears br And adulterate the bitter taste of her soul. br br She veils herself in the coolness of a dampened cloth br And breathes… br br Then she paints her face to cover up her shame br And stuffs the undergarments of her soiled life br Inside a tattered sack. br br She labors for the door, br And hears the stumbling of his graceless steps. br As she nears the threshold of her sovereignty, br She’s tempted by the tease of no return. br Convinced that someday she could learn br To somehow love herself. br br He smiles at her in the bliss of his oblivion br And knows that she’ll be back.br br M.