THE INTERNALISATION
To explore how external judgement and observation become psychologically internalised over time.
They slipped their eyes,
into my mirror,
like pearls at the bottom of milk.
The hallway is a courtroom,
window a blade.
Measure myself in temporary light,
mouth, waist, smile,
a pageant of disasters.
I dress in gold,
still unfinished.
I undress slowly,
as if an apology were silk.
Hands live on in habit,
straighten the crease,
erase the stomach,
open the mouth.
I became a prisoner,
coated and obedient.
I look at myself,
cold mascara,
searching for the girl,
promised would be enough.
