Scarlet

A lovely voluptuous oriental maid Dark and beautiful her luscious mane Strange dark eyes held a magnetic pull Ivory skin gleamed from within Fell for a high ranking man of God Used and rebuked in disarray she collapsed Hated by women and shamed by men Vowed to gather her ever falling name Proud she stood in all that dirt Able and strong in her inner strength A glorious transformation, rich and luxuriant Gushed into the sunshine of freedom Her marble coolness and hidden passions Raised her status from a fallen woman With kindness and an ever loving heart This immortal flower in the world of sin Wild and wilful, and abundantly sweet A Goddess or Saint or a demon’s offspring Proved the might of a woman scorched By leading a life of her own creation Leaving behind heartprints of kindness And courage to stand alone and stop abuse By-Tahera Mannan For Constance La France’s ‘Tell Her Story’ contest