Retrospective Smiles Poem by Victoria Lyn

She surpassed your expectations
A courageous defiance
She knew she could soar higher, knew she should fly
Felt the unacceptable compromise
Buried alive...

Retrospective smiles
kept her dreaming
Inspired her imagination
Silenced the screaming

High-level negotiations
Revealing conversations
Emotional confrontations
Concluded with unfair
Character assassination

She saw her dreams dissolve
Acceptance Slipped
Watch her crawl, a quiet resolve
An equivocal lift of his lips
as he watches her imminent death

Retrospective smiles
Hold her hostage
Keep her silenced
The screams unheard even by her