Her eyes don’t see the true landscape;
tunnel vision fixed on his charm.
Her ears hum with white noise;
she embraces his falsehoods with open arms.
His promises are empty,
but still she ignores the reasons –
there seem to be plenty.

I’m on the sidelines of a treacherous game,
watching as she starts to see through the lies.
His story matches the one I was told – it’s the same.
I was the girl who pretended it was fine.
Is this a path we all must tread?
To wear rose-coloured glasses?
Did she borrow mine?

The shades of the flags –
can they turn from red to rose too?
Self-torture follows:
What did I do?
Naivety fades with the novelty,
but not without pain.
You can never just buy one;
you’re chained to the two.

She will come out stronger –
in will and in heart.
The cracks smooth slowly, like waves.
Will she wear a life jacket next time from the start?

An unspoken bond,
woman to woman, we share.
Our eyes meet in quiet knowing;
a nod says enough –
she cares.

Hug your sister, your mum, your aunty, your friend;
for tonight and here on out,
we lift one another up –
and my back, she defends.