Dark circles

most women will

never let you see

the dark circles from waking up too early

and making breakfast

packing lunch

for a family of three

or ten

mouths calling her name

at once

and six or twenty hands

of men

(as the case may be)

scrolling happy pictures,

so there's no smile left to give

as they walk down the road

waving a hurried hand

so she understands

but most women will

never let you see

how coldly their food lies

on the table

and how boldly they eat alone

day and night

with sound of the cable

screaming in the next room

she knows

there are better things to do

than to sit with her

if you've eaten already

so she understands

but most women will

never let you guess

where they hide the desire

to kill themselves

and where they cradle a wish

to live

in reckless abandonment

like a bird or a fish

so they could fly and never drown

but instead

they love the crown

piercing their heads

and love the chains of hands

that demand

an exhausting love

so she understands

but most women will

never let you notice

the places where they bury their frowns

and smiles are all they take to work

and carry back home

all the answers in the world