“I thought her
As chaste as unsunned snow.”
—Cymbeline by William Shakespeare
Bitch brazen hussy.
I still hear the words ring out.
I walk in the street to stares and sideways glances
I am the product of a smear campaign
To deflect and exonerate the guilty
The idle and the ones desperate
For a moment of glory
Rejoice in my misfortune.
My door is graffitied
My house marked
I am a non-person
I fight for survival
Against those who seek to have me banished.
But only you know the truth
Only you were there
When such atrocities were committed
When society judged me
As a woman of no abide.
I was once a chaste woman
But I have been violated
By monsters who go by day
As pillars in our society.
Their word against mine
I know who won
‘You’ll get over it’
and similar condescension’s.
My steely resolve knows
I will one day be vindicated.
Written for: https://therattlingbones.wordpress.com/2015/06/13/literary-saturday-prompt-10/

““I thought her as chaste as unsunned snow.” Reading the words following that quote brought a lump to my throat, tears to my eyes. And to her final words “My steely resolve knows I will one day be vindicated” I would say yes; if she meets that person that sees beyond the damage to her psyche, the scars, then I would say, definitely, yes. Beautiful read, Michael. Thank you.
Thanks Mandy, so pleased you enjoyed this post.
I do hope she gets her vindication. The double standard so skillfully presented. Well done, kind sir.
I hope so too…and I think history will prove she did. Thank you for your comment, a kind sir I can live with….
Oh my, this is so powerful, Michael–marvelously wrought.
Thank you Dell, have a great day…
You too.
Wonderful poeming, Michael! Wow, such powerful words. I definitely believe she will be vindicated, one way or another!
Thank you Lori, I certainly hope so…
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