Veiled

The real love

I always keep a secret;
the best part of me,
veiled:
hidden away
behind heaving breasts,
trembling lips
and hands
intertwined
in a tense tangle
of bitten nails
paper cuts
and palm lines
that foretell a long future.
I pray though I am an atheist.
I party though I am a loner.
I laugh though I want to cry.
And I lie.
Oh, how I lie.

Camilla Basham