The Compound

Lipstick. Bright, red lipstick. Nothing but lipstick.

Even though it's against our faith to wear a color that screams of sexual promiscuity and deviant behavior, I'm not allowed to protest.

But, I want to.

So badly.

You see, there's more to me than the braid that spills down my back.

More to me than the layers of heavy fabric that maintain my modesty.

And so much more than the oppressive wedding band that adorns my finger - the same band that each of my sister wives wear.

So much more.

To protest would be sinful.

I must keep sweet, that is my duty.

So I'll wear the lipstick. I'll do as I'm told.

And I'll do my best to silence the resistance within me, to push him from my mind.

If only my heart would do the same.