charity

the way she spoke, through teeth,
led me to believe her heart wasn't in it
she played the lie with cramped tongue
tucked behind immovable ivory gates
i did not choose this path for you or
call you by a masked name
you stand in high cut dress
the stone cold beneath your slippered feet
"the pay is good" she reminds herself
with Christmas 'round the corner and
nephew's love for their aunt
making mindful of the season
(the lie's made just a little easier)
i see it all at once in those dark eyes
the terrible truth of her humanity
it cuts too close for me to
play the dark charade
and turn my back to go away
my strict morality will leave her penniless