The Lady Vanishes

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Contest: Vanishing Point

Sponsor: Dilly Dally

14 September 2024

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The man I married always said he loved me for my mind
Pretty soon I met his friends and left my own behind
It wasn’t long before he said that ‘wife’ was short for ‘minion’
And then one day he raised his hand and told me my opinion 

He said he’d help me rectify the things I like to do
My politics apparently were just ‘a point of view’
And women shouldn’t vote because they voted on a whim
He offered up some new ideals that I could share with him

I should have understood the skirt I wore to catch his eye
Suggested I was anyone’s by showing too much thigh
He screeched, “You wear my wedding ring, explain that if you can
Can’t you just be happy to belong to just one man.”

And so it was that that short skirt became coordinated
Looking back, I think that colour matching’s overrated 
That skirt in purple satin which was split to tease the guys
Now complemented perfectly… the purple ’round my eyes

But once I’d learned my lesson and I recognised my flaws
I truly tried to tell him, “I will be forever yours.”
Of course I felt diminished, like a piece of me was gone
But I decided I would self correct and just move on 

Funny, how that one decision left me three foot three
But I had pledged my troth to him and he’d pledged his to me
It must have been at least a week before I got a text
It came from an old friend… I guess you know what happened next

                                 *

“And so, M’lud, I stand here as an almost empty shell
Yes, I used a carving knife to send that man to hell
But in my own defence I say that nobody can shrink 
Quite as far as man made laws are preordained to think.”

Mrs Justice Smith looked down upon me; now accused
“There are so many women who are shackled and abused
I understand so well how one can feel lost and bereft
I shall not try this woman, for there is so little left.”




                                 *




I left the courtroom free, although the verdict left me shook
Until the judge climbed in a car… and gave a knowing look.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024



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Date: 10/1/2024 1:12:00 AM
Great poem, congratulations.
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Date: 9/26/2024 12:34:00 PM
Congratulations on your win. What a powerful write. Enjoy your win as you write away............
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Date: 9/23/2024 7:43:00 AM
thoughtful write. congratulations on your win dear poet. happy writing.
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Flood Avatar
Terry Flood
Date: 9/24/2024 2:52:00 PM
Thanks, Thriveni
Date: 9/22/2024 11:58:00 PM
Wow! Congrats! thanks for sharing this insightful muse of yours. God bless you.
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Flood Avatar
Terry Flood
Date: 9/24/2024 2:52:00 PM
Thank you, Beata
Date: 9/20/2024 6:35:00 PM
A marvellous write Terry, too many have to suffer cruelty day after day, until they’re too weak to break away from harms way… Beryl
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Flood Avatar
Terry Flood
Date: 9/24/2024 2:54:00 PM
Thanks, Beryl. Glad you ‘enjoyed’. Terry
Date: 9/14/2024 1:16:00 PM
a very sad story, terry, but one which is all too common (although not related in such perfect rhyme!)...
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Flood Avatar
Terry Flood
Date: 9/14/2024 2:26:00 PM
Thanks, Ilene. I have to say that when I was contemplating this contest, I never considered that I might change gender for half an hour or so… Boy am I modern or what? ;-)
Date: 9/13/2024 10:44:00 PM
a very heartfelt story and poem, that of variations I have heard all too often, this actually made me cry. Wonderful poetry.
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Vaso Avatar
Arthur Vaso
Date: 9/15/2024 12:54:00 AM
Yes and we need to expose and show this more, all the reason I loved this poem!
Flood Avatar
Terry Flood
Date: 9/14/2024 2:39:00 PM
Thanks, Arthur. An uncomfortable write. Alas, I’m sure the reality for many women is far worse than my imaginings. Terry
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