Lady Macbeth

by Nora Page

I see her

Unapologetic, blood on her hands

Cradling the knife

Like it is her own child.

I see her

Shadow malformed, grotesque

Against the wall

In the darkened hallway.

I see her

Stumbling back

To gaze into the mirror

And see the monster she has become

I see her

Scrubbing at her hands

Convinced they still drip blood

They do; only now its hers

Palms scraped raw.

I see her

Cover his portrait in the hall

With a black silk sheet

So that it can’t leer at her

Can’t hurt her anymore.

I see her

Smile again, this time for real

Uncover her arms

To show faded bruises

That she no longer tries to hide.

I see her

Smile at his funeral

I see her

Only pretend to weep

In front of his mother

I see her burn his belongings

And finally his picture

I see her

Embrace the power she holds

Hidden for so long

Squashed and stunted

In the darkest corners.