Helen's Cousin

If I walk then you must scream
Do not shake me
To wake me of the dream
If you see my eyes weep
My nose bleed
Simply shriek

Do not rouse me through that violent means
Whereby my doll-like body thrashes apart at the seams
Do not let me
Drink that vial
From which I've tried to die too many times
Don't walk me down that sacred aisle
Of death
Don't let
Me regret:
My final breath
Was done in twain
By some refrain
I did not write
To pierce my skin
"It's only skin!" I'm slain!

I am unknown
I am hoping I am heard
Once I've overthrown
The flesh, the curse
That the moon will bring me
When she's gone
The moon will spin
Back in reverse
To slight me
Does she dislike me?
Have I offended her
Pale-pearly silver lining?
Am I mourning too deeply
For that healing silver lining
And all I've got left to reach me?

I am mourning
I am sleeping all the day away
Oh darling, don't you see
That I am working?
I am weaving
The loom that we must all weave
When we're faintly sure our husbands won't
Make it out alive
How will we survive?
Thriving off suitors?
Your gifts are all useless