faith and truth I will bear unto you
I could piss upright with the boys
carelessly spray my scent,
play hard ball
pretend I don’t care.
I could stride the boardroom
spiky with mettle,
crush with power
all hedge-fund, no flowers.
I could wed the gilded cage
screw for money,
swell with botox
pout empty air.
I could sell out,
a queen buzzing
in a sterile hive,
no honey.
I’ll toss the five shilling coin
you left me, Granda.
Heads or tails.
It’s neither.
I choose a higher crown.
(first published by Dreich, Home anthology, March 2021)