twisting up

So many women
 I know
 have experienced terror
 at the hands
 of those
 who claim...to love them
That I wonder
 if those old couples
 that seem so happy
 are real
​Does he really adore her
 or has she just put up with a lot
   behind
     closed
        doors
Is she fat
Is she ugly
Black roots and black boots
Does she twist herself up...for him
Or the camera
That is ever watching
Or the people at the bus stop
Or walking through the mall
Who notices... except her
 that she is aging, aging, aging
working, working, working
loving, weeping, breathing, fucking
yielding, learning, knowing
     and forever twisting up
     into an appropriate form
Current
  artificial social expectations dictate
 how the skin that sweats ...and bleeds
  will be worn and adorned
  in pursuit
of those who
    Need
        Love
            Desire
                 Use
                    Fear
​                       Us