...Conspirators' Preparation...

“listen , now
Do you hear it?”
she asked, softly
Looking at him.

She was listening to the voices
One of which was so familiar
So treasured
Coming from
Just beyond those velvet curtains.

She heard a voice whisper,
“how much?”

the words stung.
the most
glorious occasion of
her life
blemished.
marked.
By those few,
Unforgiving words.

She now realised
Why being a girl
is a sin

...

her misted eyes
focused at him
quietly pleading.

“Look,
just beyond the screen,
look
just. on. the. other. Side”
she whispered
careful to keep her voice
low
low enough for him
not to take notice.

His back was turned to her
She could hear clearly
his
steady breathing.

“breathe into me
breathe,
I have no breath left to take in.
Get up and
Comfort me
Comfort me from these conspirators.”
One of whom, it seems
Had always dreaded this moment
Had always
Dreaded
her
growing up.

She raised a hand
To wipe the tear
Trickling casually down her cheek

The light was seeping in
through the open window
and it reflected off a
glinting something
shining
on
one of her fingers.

She heard the words again
Teasing her
Mocking.

“but tell me. . .
how much?”