MANTLE

Mantle
By cindy
7/19/21

When I put on
The mantle
Of white

Pronouns changed
From ‘you’ to ‘her’
From ‘hers’ to ‘it’
From ‘mine’ to ‘ours’
From “me’ to ‘us’

When I put on
The mantle
Of white

Names changed
From ‘myname’ to ‘Mrs. Hisname’
From endearing nickname to long matronly official name
From ‘whoeverthehelliam’ to ‘ The Bride’

When I put on
The mantle
Of white

Congratulations were in order
For him, but not for me.
‘The Bride’ was given lists of
‘Shoulds’ and ‘Shouldn’ts’
‘Do this’, ‘Don’t do that’
‘Always Must’, ‘Never Mustn’t’

As though the weight of
My life combined
Rested upon my sole shoulders,
Upon how much I can
‘Do’ rather than who I really ‘Am’

By cindy
7/19/2021