the ballad of the modern girl

Arabella does all right
With her detachable grace
And cynical painted face.

They must think her very fine,
Though her wine is lacking taste
And her jewels are made of paste –

It’s not a high price to pay
In this modern day
For survival.

The pocket of her apron
Where she stifles any shames
(She can’t remember their names)
Can be forgotten.

Yes, her nights are spent alone,
But, when all is done and said,
She is never short of bread –

It’s not a high price to pay
In this modern day
For survival.

No time for feeling or faith
Or human interaction –
It would be a distraction
(Who needs it, anyway?)

She can daub on the lip-gloss
As she decides what to be –
And she’s all right, isn’t she?

But it’s a high price to pay
In the cold light of day
For survival.



SJL: 21st October, 2003