"Sterling Silver"

 

Part of a set brought out for special occasions          

showing guests wholeness and belonging—       

            matching, complementary, complete      

            “All for one, and one for all!”      

The family motto reiterated in ritualistic chant      

Part of a set displayed on holidays       

buffed with care into sparkle and gleam           

            hiding flaws and secrets      

            under layers of protective polish         

Impressing outsiders and onlookers      

Part of a set exhibited for ceremony     

identical in rigid expectations     

            proof of continuity and unity         

            loaded with traditional roles            

Indistinguishable utensils of the matriarch         

Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

"Liar"

Full eye contact with head tilted “just so”

The words he speaks ring false and hollow

He moves his hand smoothly down her arm

Tries to blind her with his deceitful charm

His veneer appears glossy and smooth

He’s a trickster who distorts the truth

Through a phony wink and cocked eyebrows

He seduces with his empty vows

He manipulates her emotions

By conjuring deceptive notions

He craves her devotion on a whim

As her passion means nothing to him

He’s a con artist, a promoter

He’s barren inside—a pretender.

Copyright 2019 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

“No Shame”

See this world  
            Revolving around you   
            ‘Cause you’re sooooo SPECIAL?   
                        A Disney Princess   
                                    Twisted on the inside    
                                    By your Hypocrisy 
            Your venomous spittle sprays 
                        And you shout your righteous indignation
                               Against those who sustain you, clothe you,      
                                     nurture you  
You—The Beggar—   
            Who bites up to the elbow   
                        Your ravenous maw congealed with  
                                    the flesh of the hands that feed you  

You carry No Shame  

                        For badgering, and belittling, and bullying  
                 No Shame   
                        For the lives you taint with your poison 
                 No Shame  
                        For the pain you reap  
            ‘Cause you’re sooooo SPECIAL— 
With this world  
            Revolving around you  

 

Copyright 2015 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

 

"Golden Son"

Told from the moment of your birth, you’re the Golden Son   

Praised for petty acts and deeds, you’re mother’s Special One   

Worshipped within your family, you learn bold conceit   

Playing games you can’t win, you begin to cheat   

Your skill in charming others often leads to sly lies   

Forcing others to view you through your mama’s eyes   

Cocky and self-centered, you use people in your life   

Manipulating others helps you avoid strife   

Adultery entices you, it’s part of your game   

Interchangeable parts—all women are the same   

Unhappiness follows your steps, even when you run   

You can’t help the hearts you break, you’re the Golden Son   

Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman