Portia tastes the purple stain upon her lip
Open mouthed, she pronounces a plummy 'O'
Ravishing, until I see the circling scar
Trees fall from the fruit in a family forest
I carry her bags to a waiting taxi
And watch her being driven from this drama
Coming home, I encounter parents frantic
Open doors / closed minds: Why did I let her go?
Raised fists - and I see a ring shaped like her scar
Neighbours flounder, trapped in their nets of curtain
Evidence gathered for show trials in each home
Reaching guilty verdicts; giving them what for
Except nothing is spoken, face to face
Despite escaping, Portia still feels cornered
