Compliance.

Let the masquerade start. Now locked safely away, restricted and mute is her subdued heart, neatly boxed, disciplined, strong-tied, and nicely presented to show whole compliance. Her pictured hopes deleted now by duty She lays dreaming aside, and decides to accede. With reality not in the way the play can begin. All is accomplished, now face set. make-up mask Hardened into a smile, she stands reliably ready. The world will see only an acceptable show. Done now and dusted, tranformance complete, she enters to give unflagging performance of substitute love. Staging then set she emerges for well rehearsed part. But bleeding inside, never seen, is her hidden caged heart.