[i am seeking]

[by sylvia dykes]

[exclamation mark

uttered

from my throat

!

dear sir-

i'm not seeking

greener grass

or a sylvan fairy tale

from which to pluck

daisies

and create wreaths

for my hair,

dreaming of

princes or stallions [or both].

i seek reality

a purpose

integrity

respect.

if a red faced scoundrel

wishes to wear the cloak

of dishonesty

to shape shift

pretending

ours wasn't an agreement

he shall

look foolish

when i turn my heel

and face

the terrain

that comes into focus

in the cracked

crystal ball

smudged with mud

and murk.

i seek anything

contrary to

the abuse

lies

i am subject to

under his reign.