She talks about her ardent belief
in the importance of social equality,
on the school run to drop off her kids
at their expensive private school.

‘’Sisters are doing it for themselves’’
she later maintains, before dividing up
(between herself and the female maid)
the cooking, cleaning, cooking, cleaning,

For her kids and husband, whose ‘’good’’ job
pays for their two fancy cars
their big house in the suburbs
and her slim-fit size eight clothes

(For her, the worse possible fate
would be to put on weight,
she warns her daughters
against this horror constantly.)

During coffee after her yoga class,
she talks up her bohemian, free-spirited ways
while desperate to maintain a tight grip
on everything around her

Later, lying down in her colourful prints
and ethnic jewellery, she tries to articulate
to her expensive psychiatrist

why something feels amiss.

I start chatting to my aunt
at a lively family do
she wants to know how I’m doing
since it’s been a year or two.

Actually, I’ve never felt healthier
or fuller of zest,
at this year’s marathon
I slashed my personal best.

Yes, she says patiently
But other than that?
Anything new in your life?
Now we have time to chat.

Well, my career is going well,
You could say I’m on a high
I’ve finished my PhD
won a coveted prize.

Oh yes? She replies
but it doesn’t impress
looks at me expectantly,
for what I can’t guess.

I tell her about my wonderful friends
how I really love my city
as there’s something happening every night
and the surroundings are so pretty.

And what about you, aunt?
Oh yes fine, fine
we’ll talk about me later,
we have plenty of time.

So I recount my recent travels
to far off distant places
how I heard amazing stories
saw unforgettable faces.

You know, aunt, life has never been better
I appreciate how lucky I am.
Of course you do, she quickly agrees
but have you found yourself a man?

No, I’m still single, I say.
Oh. Well, never mind, she sighs.
Things will pick for you
Pats my arm, sympathetic eyes.

Then she’s off to another relative
and I hear her loudly relate
how sorry she feels for me
and the sadness of my singular fate.