Loyal they called her when she agreed

That she brought out a troublemaker’s soft side

Or perhaps she just made him easier to ignore

The Good Kid, placed next to the trickster so that the teacher

Easier to focus on answering other students’ questions

While surely she could help him if he needed.

Tutor, audience, make things easier for everyone else.

Loyal they called her when she agreed

That they made such a match- she worked while he was in school

She cared for their children

And she took him back when there were other women- other children

The stress, the stress, of course.

Easier to ignore the one who doesn’t run or demand payments.

Wife, mother, make things easier for everyone else.

Loyal they called her when she agreed

To hold the bowl of poison with shaking arms

Looking down on the man who destroyed what she had

Looking down on the man bound with the last of her children

Easier to ignore so they didn’t know when she let more pain fall on his face

They didn’t know when she let him free to destroy others.

Jailor, prisoner, make things easier for everyone else.