Lady Porcelain Kindness

 

A lady with clear pale skin, few blemishes

mar her daily perfection, playing a flawless part

in her sharp European presence.

 

Inclining her head like a brisk marching soldier

into First Year lecture theatres, she convinces

the boys of the glittering sincerity

of her blue, blue eyes. Somehow wise

beyond her twenty-four years,

she does joie-de-vivre by the numbers

and happiness by consent.

 

This lady pours proud mystery like drips of mercury

about her coterie: slinky turns, silvern hair, never still,

she's bound to dazzle with her brittle insight, but

sure to kill - with kindness - should the madness overcome them -

   without her permission.

 

A second-hand edition of translucent porcelain,

a slightly sullied vessel of vitreous discontent.

 

Chris Hubbard

Perth

2016