Don't name your daughter after a song
by Emma Lee
Don't name your daughter after a song
The animation shows how roots grew into holes in her skull,
proving that her remains lay there from the first sighting
until police finally followed the lead. While search and rescue
teams hoped, her mother got a new tattoo, Bella Vita.
The bones were too decomposed to establish if the duct tape
was used to asphyxiate her or to cover her face afterwards.
Someone unrelated put up a wooden cross painted bone-white.
Whoever dumped her in a fly tipping area was related to her.
Not following the lead wasn't the only mistake police made.
Her mother's silence drew attention, risked the dead daughter
becoming a footnote. Flowers were left to fade amongst the roots
and storm waters in the swampy woods. A two-year-old silenced
and claimed by nature without knowing who she was or who
she could have become. Her name was added to the ghostly cross.
​
(Caylee Anthony's disappearance in June 2008 led to some States adopting Caylee's Law where it is illegal for a parent to not report a missing child where they knew or should have known the child was in danger. Caylee's remains were found in December 2008)
The Bridal Dresses in Beirut
by Emma Lee
The Bridal Dresses in Beirut
Each dress hangs from a noose.
One is plain satin with scalloped lace,
another an orgy of tulle,
dreamy organza with applique flowers
hanging from wire
strung between palm trees.
One is short, a shift with a tulip skirt,
the sort of dress picked
in a hurry to satisfy a shotgun
or Article 522.
The breeze breathes through them,
bullies the dresses into ghosts,
brides with no substance,
angels bereft of their voices.
[Part of a protest against Article 522 of the Lebanese Penal Code which exonerates rapists if they marry their victim. The Article has now been repealed.]
Emma Lee
Emma Lee’s recent collection is “Ghosts in the Desert” (IDP, UK 2015). “The Significance of a Dress” is forthcoming from Arachne (UK). She co-edited “Over Land, Over Sea,” (Five Leaves, UK, 2015), reviews for The Blue Nib, High Window Journal, The Journal, London Grip, Sabotage Reviews and blogs at http://emmalee1.wordpress.com.​