I TRIED
I tried to be obliging
some say they never noticed
but I tried
like those spike-heeled shoes
I used to wear
which made
the act of walking
a pennance
the strangulating party dress
which made
the act of breathing
a privilege
since I never could
learn the art of smiling
while I was in pain
I chose to remain silent
undoubtedly why
others still perceived me
as not quite acommodating enough
in the name of love
I tried hardest of all
always alert
for the slightest cue
as to the part
I must play
until I found myself
no more than a shadow
amongst the shadows
v and even there
I tried and could not belong
I tried and could not rest
for all the yards of velvet
I tried to hide myself in
the sharp edges of me
still came through
