The Portfolio

The venue was the Victoria Memorial.

A gilded afternoon,

sunrays breaking out of dark rain clouds.

The reflectors were in place.

The photographer relentlessly changing positions.

The portfolio would be a piece of art.

'Look down,'

'A coy look.'

His commands continued.

'A smile please.'

Designer get-up!

Calendar art!

Displays at a premium.

The jamboree had just begun!

And yet she had that horrible sinking feeling.

To be married and sent far away forever.

Her face convulsed in pain.

The nose ring was digging in deep.

Heavy, heartless chains.

A bejeweled trap?

She wondered.