Ophelia’s fate

Oh Ophelia, a sweet naive

Shakespearean heroine, the ultimate victim 

the ultimate victim crowned in rosemary and daises 

the ultimate victim of men. The overlords with phallic imagery

dictated your life, your desires 

unrequited and gaslit.

 

Your life played out and decided

Before you took your first breath

For all to see. 

 

People tell your story, or try to at least.

The showgirl doesn’t understand 

your fate is not one of a damsel 

Locked in her tower, heartaching 

You weren’t waiting on a knight, a saviour, a man

To save you from your distress. They caused it.

You died by the sin of living in a man’s world

 

Oh Ophelia, crowned with rue and pansies

All you wanted was freedom

Love was thrusted upon you 

Your heart, a chalice of unfulfilled yearning,

Spilled by the hand of cold indifference

Of a lover

Of a brother 

Of a father.

 

They took it in turns to control you

An obedient daughter

An obedient sister

An obedient lover

Gaslighting was a game to them.

 

In your madness did you seek the wild flowers

Blooming freely in the wind.

Did you run through the meadows feeling the tall grass

Through your fingertips.

Did you seek the Willow tree’s shade 

And in the river, did you feel it’s embrace 

Finally free, floating with the current.

 

Oh Ophelia, I crowned thee with nettles and wild orchids 

You are a fierce creature to behold,

You sort mother nature’s caress

And was finally home.