The whore : A poem

A bold, tongue‑in‑cheek verse that turns the eighteenth‑century pamphlet into a stage for relentless social critique. Narrated by a self‑styled “priestess of the Cyprian deity,” the poem launches into a questioning of the word “whore,” juxtaposing biblical myths, classical allusion, and the everyday gossip of London’s streets. Its rhythm swings between sardonic wit and earnest moral inquiry, inviting listeners to consider how language and power shape the perception of women’s lives.

The work does not shy away from exposing the hypocrisies of high‑society marriage, the double standards of desire, and the quiet desperation that can drive respectable women to hidden transactions. Through vivid sketches of dukes, duchesses, and unnamed patrons, it paints a portrait of a world where virtue is often a mask and survival a calculated performance. Listeners will find a clever, unapologetic blend of satire and melancholy that challenges conventional judgments while echoing timeless questions about gender, autonomy, and societal judgment.