He asks, and she retorts:

Am I happy?

How can you

Ask such a question?

How can I speak truthfully,

Without betraying the

Trust of my father, the

Love of my mother,

When I am a mere

Woman, no accident of

Birth, and death

Never comes to women

Permanently wedded

To the ruler of the dead?

You never speak

Of Death, herself —

Even the master of Hades

Has a taskmistress —

That role didn’t become me,

So I allow her to do her duty,

As I will do mine.

Don’t ask if I am happy.

Ask me how long it’s been

Since I’ve seen the sun.

— Stephanie Ann Barrows lives in Lawrence.