Born with the cord wrapped around my neck, blue to a new world.
Indifferent to my silence, you left my care to the hands of others.
Caretakers driven by coin, empty smiles that didn’t reach their eyes.
Hidden bruises covered in taffeta and silk.
Stand up straight and smile for the camera.
See no evil, you were blind to my pain.
Hear no evil, you were deaf to the truth.
Speak no evil, you were mute in my defense.
Monkeys of three, you abandoned me.
Broken with jagged pieces falling from porcelain mask,
Green with envy when other daughters shine.
Cold to my embrace, you kissed me with painted lips on my forehead.
Artifice kept the passage of time from slipping through.
Tears were brushed aside with a French manicure.
Fold my hands and cross my ankles when at your side.
See no evil, you were blind to my pain.
Hear no evil, you were deaf to the truth.
Speak no evil, you were mute in my defense.
Monkeys of three, you abandoned me.
Prance around the center stage on a knotted string,
White with fear to make a minor mistake.
Determined to mold me into a gracious lady,
Counting missteps with the tap of your heel.
Music box spindles turn round and round as I jump higher and higher.
Flip turns the page of your pamphlet.
Finish on point as your gloves politely clap.
See no evil, you were blind to my pain.
Hear no evil, you were deaf to the truth.
Speak no evil, you were mute in my defense.
Monkeys of three, you abandoned me.
Stride to the podium with note cards gripped tightly in my hand.
Front row in a black veil, your sharp gaze cuts me through the lace.
Lips tremble as my first words falter. Teacher brings me water.
Gulp down my terror as sweat gathers at my brow.
Snap of your fan brings my eyes to focus.
Words tumble one after the other to your bored audience.
See no evil, you were blind to my pain.
Hear no evil, you were deaf to the truth.
Speak no evil, you were mute in my defense.
Monkeys of three, you abandoned me.
