A requiem in sepia

Weight jibes led girl, 14, to hang herself

METRO, 20 June 2012

for Fiona

Why, I wonder, the sepia tint

in a photograph

that can't have long been taken?

Could it be that it's slimming,

the coffee stain keeping

unsightly puppy fat out of the picture?

The smiling girl looks older now

than she ever will be,

older than her dress size, any way.

She's a pretty child too, an adjective

that's been devalued,

like laying plans, or being fourteen,

but someone cared to giftwrap her

in the best silk and schooling,

taking an educated punt on her chances.

Is her smile then one of gratitude,

or are her cheeks aching,

her complexion like raspberry ripple?

(c) 2012 Slush Poet