Lady, Lady

Every blonde curl in place,
the gray hairs hiding underneath,
Perfectly shaped ruby lips,
the ends forced upward,
Smooth porcelain skin,
stretched tight over a tense jaw,
Brilliant white teeth,
ground together with unspoken words,
Elegant dress with fine petticoats,
clenched in tight fists,

Beautiful,
silent,
The perfect lady,
a shell of a woman,

All for love,
For what is life without love?
A wilted rose,
A starless sky,
but at what price . . .