The next in my ‘bad girls’ series – this is a character from The Matrix. In the film, Mouse creates her as a distraction in his training programme. She’s been constructed by a man as both an idealised version of femininity and a trap – in fact she isn’t really a woman at all – but we’ll allow it.

Her beauty is deliberate –

she’s been devised as someone’s

ideal woman.  Distracting,

but that’s the point.  She’s a shock –

a rupture in the black-suited world.

Her lips are deep ruby with the

start of a smile directed at

only you.  You are impelled to stare –

your gaze is invited.  Her dress

too is a rich claret – spilled red

wine. Your eyes are pulled to

her body and held there. 

Even as you stare, you

know that she’s a trap. 

Something about the

red recalls blood – an open wound. 

She’s a warning, an exclamation mark.

A premonition. 

But ultimately she’s a shell –

weaponised femininity – to be

gazed at and feared equally.

Don’t look for too long.  She may

not be what she seems.  Don’t get pulled in

or the trap may spring.