Meghan

Seemingly harmless
eager to please
even cute
freckles and round glasses
the undeveloped body of a child
even at fourteen
sixteen
and eighteen

so quiet
so sweet
sitting back
with a gentle smile
and barely speaking up
when among others

(such a soft-spoken girl
so well mannered...)

but walk away
turn your back
and see
see her sidle up
to another
whispering vicious phrases
designed to harm
in a way that they
cannot be sure
who has caused their pain

you may look back
doubting your own eyes
as she smiles at you
the picture of innocence
and you may wonder
did I really see?
how could it be she
who has betrayed me?

you doubt yourself
and so ultimately reject
your own truths
in favor of the lies
she hands you so readily
and so by accepting
her version of reality
you help her maintain
her mask of honor