Secret Shame

Watching those smiles freeze

Lips tightening into a universal badge

Of shame and honour, as conversation stills

Stumbles over a name, a face, a day of regrets

A night of stolen pleasure

Listening to the awkward silence deepen

Over a name left unsaid, a skip, a slip

Overlooked by chance, or the closest to it

An unspoken conspiracy narrowing into focus

Bound by ties of sisterhood superficial yet strong

Bound by common shame

Laughing inwardly in the midst of an unspoken silence

A scream wanting to burst outward, up, up and away

For we all have that secret blush

Over heavy lidded eyes that hide

Secrets many kill to know

Secrets I cannot afford to let slip

On a roll of dice, a gamble I cannot forsake

Nor yet flip my hand, letting sail merrily

On a game of Russian roulette

Forgive me my secret shame

And my sisters with me, for we all have

Our forbidden names, our forgotten faces

Suppressed desires shaken lightly off

And cloaked in the mantles of deceit and regret