You Wouldn’t Have Guessed

She put her hair up in a bun

Applied red lipstick, mascara

Thick eyeliner, face powder, blusher

Her perfume was sweet, but

too strong, too much. Overwhelming.

When she walked out the door

You’d assume she was going

on a date, for a meal or a work do.

She bought a packet of Marlboro Lights,

lit one and inhaled the smoke,

popping her Prozac with a bottle of

Scotch whisky. She’d never liked

the taste. Sexist – but a man’s drink.

The bridge over the Thames

was busy with life, people – humans.

It didn’t take long to climb the railings,

ignoring the ‘We’re in your corner’ sign.

You wouldn’t have guessed. It was just

a normal day. But – it was her last day.