Image: Tom Bagshaw
My father once told us the story of the ugly duckling.
My sister Cecile is a right bitch.
The good-looking one.
The one with brains.
The scholarship
The impending engagement.
Mother’s favourite, daddy’s pet.
Cecile could do no wrong.
Older by fifteen months
Some thought we were twins.
With puberty Cecile bloomed
I wilted
Where she was sugar and spice
I was sticks and snails.
Plain Jane
No brains,
Too stupid for school.
Embroidery and needlework deemed my forte.
Cecile was courted
I was thwarted
Ridiculed
The clumsy tub,
The joke of my family
I withdrew
Hours spent with needle and thread.
She lorded over me
Haughty and sarcastic
I grew to hate her even more.
Successful, Uni medal,
A brilliant future loomed
Law beckoned, partnerships
Social advantage loomed
Marriage, societies big event.
Moved to the Heights
Big house, a servant or two,
Parties, the place to be.
I stayed in my place
Stitching, sewing,
Perfecting my craft.
Ignoring the taunting cow
Pretending she didn’t exist.
Despite the belief
I would never rise above the workhouse
I have proved them wrong.
Today
My skills are world renown
I have shops in every major city
Next week Paris
Two months London.
I live frugally
Ostentation doesn’t sit with me
I have bought the family home
I am happy
Content.
My ‘sweat shop’ is now my palace.
Cecile works long hours
Also, Lotta & Shite are demanding
She hopes for a partnership in ten years
Sees no humour in Also, Lotta, Shite & Underfoot.
Cecile shuns my every invitation
I have grown to accept who I am
I am proud of where I am
Cecile’s life has stagnated
Bogged down in endless files
Long fruitless hours
Prospects diminishing yearly
Marriage in tatters
Luxury a distant memory
Pills keeping her upright.
Neither forgiveness nor humility
Feature in her worldview.
She may be a bitch
Her nose stuck in the air
Condescendingly opinionated
The source of pain as I grew up
But she’s family.
My father once told us the story of the ugly duckling.
Written for: http://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2014/09/09/photo-challenge-25-the-other-woman/
Morpethroad 
I think there will be people out there who will strongly relate, either with siblings or offspring. Love the lawyer firm. So the moral … looks and power aren’t all that’s required to make it in this world.. Well done Michael
Thank you Jenny. It all became clearer in the early am.
It seems to …sometimes patience works, smiles.
Yes it does.
Oh can you change my comment to read either not other 😦 ..IPad
Done.
Ta muchly 🙂
I can relate to this one Michael. Well done as usual.
Thank you Jackie, appreciate you as always.
A well told story. You definitely get out of life what you put in.
So true Kim. Thanks for dropping by. Always good to see you.
You can’t help but feel sorry for Cecile despite all her nastiness. She thought she was really living, but in fact, she was building more grief into her life every day. Not just a tale of the ugly duckling, but perhaps a touch of Cinderella as well.
Yes Lyn, good point. Thanks so much for your comment. Hope you have a good day.
She might not think the firm title funny but it is 😛 I have no siblings myself but I had a best friend growing whose older sister was very beautiful, intelligent, and popular. She was also the parental favorite. My friend had many good attributes (she was also pretty, smart, and an excellent artist) but she couldn’t see much past her own pain and the situation didn’t turn out very well. I am glad to see in your story that she did.
Thank you Yves I am glad you enjoyed this take. It was a great challenge.
I think many of us can relate to this. Well written, I enjoyed reading it a lot.
Thanks AJ for your comment and thanks for following my blog. Please drop by again.
It’s always best to stay humble – because one never knows…
That’s right RoSy, one just never knows.
You did it Michael! You figured it out very well – and the “alternate thoughts” – even though it is one voice work brilliantly! Bravo!
Thank you Pat, I appreciate your generous comment as always. Hope you are doing ok.
We take it as always, one day at a time. I hope you are well also Michael. 🙂
Even though I cannot connect personally, I love how you conveyed the raw emotions! 🙂
Thank you so much, I appreciate you dropping by.
What a great story, Michael, and you amaze me when you take on the role of a woman and truly know how to voice over so well.
Its my feminine side Oliana…….it just works out best that way sometimes. Have a good evening/early morning.
I have not turned in yet but shall now…3:30am. have a great day, Michael.
Good night/morning then.