B F Jones is French and lives in the UK. She has flash fiction and poetry in various UK and US online magazines. Her poetry chapbook, Last Orders, and collection, Panic Attack, will both be published by Close To The Bone late 2021
That brave face
Foundation too pale
For the dark cairns around
Eyes that no longer shut.
Blusher too pink
For a complexion
Drained from the rosiness
Of joy and excitement.
Lipstick too bright
For an austere mouth
Hoarding stingily
The last of the smiles.
A little light
You try to find a way out
Of that dark place
You ventured into
Uninvited, slipping inside
Regretful already
As the door slowly closes behind you
And sorrow drafts in.
You extend your hands out
Zombie like
And open your eyes wide
Trying to discern the sharp edges
Of insecurities and despair
Against which you stumble
And bruise
Over and over
Until the day
Someone opens the door
And a little light comes in.
