Hold the throne

The rainbow is not there. The sky is white

and filled with murmurations heading home.

Once I wore lipstick and my hair was bright,

I danced, and never tired. I was the heart’s delight

of boys and girls from Palestine to Rome.

The rainbow is not there. The sky is white

and filled with swallows in the dying light -

I never used to spend an hour alone.

Once I wore lipstick and my hair was bright

I thought those days would never end in night.

Now evening's drawing in, the lovers gone.

The rainbow is not there. The sky is white.

I’m glad I broke the rules and fought the fight,

I’m glad I lived the life that was my own.

Once I wore lipstick and my hair was bright.

See those starlings on their homeward flight

and know this rebel queen still holds her throne.

The rainbow's always there – a spectrum, simply light.

Once I wore lipstick, and my hair is silver bright.