Compliance

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.

sonetta
a very sad scene, a sad role, a difficult part...but she makes it look so easy....

Carl Harris
What an expressive and deeply touching poem this is, Fay, and your imagery in this outstanding write was a pleasure to read. Carl.

Sandra Martyres
"But bleeding inside, never seen, is her hidden caged heart" The ending says everyhthing...the show must go on - no matter what and no matter how. Compliance can be a silent killer - Good and true write Fay.

stephen
great poem, compliance sucks.

Fay Slimm
So many are very adept at hiding the heart David. - - and no-one ever knows the sadness inside. - - Hope this helps to answer your question.

T A Ramesh
Life of painted veil of a lady is perfectly revealed in verse! Behind the mask of smile only sadness remains in many cases it seems!

David Taylor
This makes me ask, how would we know if she is so accomplished at the show? David