CONCEILING THE WOUNDS

She sat infron of her mirror
she continued preening
carefully dabbing, patting and applying.

She combed her well kept hair
so long and fair
hiding the swelling underneath.

Her eyes laddened with colour
hiding the gallons of tears shed
weary eyes, which sorrow fed.

The blush on her cheeks
cheeks tired from the bruising for weeks
hiding what could give her away as week.

Red-cherry flavoured lips
sweet scented cherry
masking the scent of blood from her severed lips.

A tan turtle-neck
to "keep out the cold"
to hide her scarred neck.

Long sleeves to "keep herself warm"
but not warm enough for the cold nights
but mainly to conceal the wounds.

She put on her jewellery slowly
as if considering their value
as if thinking of her true value.

Stilettos pretty high
no too high for her
but too low to lift her sorry state.

She stood up to leave
to go about her usual
but she noticed something unusual.

She put on a smile
the most crucial of all
to hide it from all...

To hide the shame of her waekness,
the pain of her committment:
..."till death do us part".