The Maid Servant

She enters wordlessly
Eyes on the floor
Straight to the kitchen
Knife in hand
She slaughters the vegetables.
‘My husband’s hand
his legs and body ….
There, he’s chopped to bits!’
She smiles inwardly.
‘Now I’ll boil him
Fry him, burn him’
Cooking is done

She goes to the bathroom
Fills the tub with warm water
Adds detergent.
‘This acid is corrosive
But nothing’s too strong for my vile mother-in-law.
And I’ve pushed her in
Cry for mercy, you witch!’
She bands the clothes against the rock
Strangles each garment, one by one
Washing is done.

She enters her home wordlessly
Her hatred and anger
Hidden by fear and submission
Provoking yet another thrashing from her husband
Harsh words and beating from mother-in-law
She cooks and clears up;
Dies yet again
Waiting to kill once more ….
Another day is done.