Why does Ophelia look so calm?
Calm in calamity, peaceful in perishing
Why does she look so calm?
She died in a fit, she died in anger
She was burning out the house
throwing flowers and screaming
at those who used her
abused her
maybe once loved her
but change eradicates affection
and all that remains is
the pattern of sexualized subjugation
Oh God, why does Ophelia look so calm?
She died but she was beautiful in death
She died off stage, off set, out of view
drowned in benevolent blue
Yet she was beautiful, not mad
She was calm, not drowning
She did not fight, she did not cry
Her clothes were not ripped or torn
No, she was calm when she died in madness
painted, pretty and peaceful
perished but not mad,
never mad
Because why paint a woman mad
when death is so much prettier?
Comments
I had to read this a few times and found something new to love about it each time. What an exquisite piece. Keep writing
Log in or register to post comments.