The Losing Side of a Duel

The Duchess’s Response to Robert Browning’s “My Last Duchess”

By Kay (Let Them Eat Cake)

You say, my Duke, that on that painted wall,

I look so alive, so cheerful. I recall

That this was how you despised me.

To see another smile, to laugh, you see,

Makes you more and more angry.

And yet, now, I’m the one erupting in fury

As I watched you show my painting

To that gentlemen as if I were there, living!

Little do you know that I see you—

I hear you—from this position, so new.

Forever at your side,

Yet certainly not as your guide!

If you should be led into danger, my dear,

There’s nothing you should fear

Except for my very presence

And what I should do to satisfy revenge’s essence.

Should I beg you to forgive me?

I was too joyful and one should not be?

I believe not

And look what I’ve got!

A useless, ancient name attached mine

And a removed head as a fine!

My joy will be my ultimate rise

And your fall as every wife of yours dies,

Bringing a smile to my scarred face

As I see women sing in joy to leave your place

No matter what the price should be.

Oh, joker! Now you act as if you knew me!

Should I beg you to forgive me?

I was too grateful and one should not be?

A bowl of cherries is very kind

To give. And keep in mind,

You gave me only your name and your money,

Never a simple reminder of your love when the day was sunny

Or small gift from the depths of your heart.

You instead plastered me against the wall like art.

I pity you; you fool.

You are caught on the losing side of a duel

And you shall never escape it,

Never for the smallest bit.

Yes, shut the curtain, shut me away

As if you can save me for another day.

You and the gentlemen go

To the rooms below.

But never fear,

I shall be with you, my dear.

Marry again, you fool,

And I shall truly defeat you in this duel…

Kay (Let Them Eat Cake)

(If you want to see the picture I made that I used as a background go to my account and click on the link that says "Enemies." If you look closely, "Enemies" is written across the girl's neck!)