A Timeless Path

• Sabiha Uddin, Grade 11, Sydney Girls High School
• Poetry
• 2016

Excellence Award in the 'Top Secret 2016' competition

A rigid smile sewn to your face
Hollow joy for the world to see
Hiding the broken shards of your soul
The timeless echo of your pain wraight pleas

They tug at your hair and paint on your lips
(You don’t try fighting)
They carve at your waist, pull at the hips
(You’re so tired of fighting)

They’ll tell you who to love
(You’ll never be happy)
They’ll tell you who to touch
(You’ll always want more)

If you break away from their tyranny, their wretchedness
And walk on you self-cleared path
If you create your own self-fulfilled prophecy
We will protect you from their unforgivable wrath