Rhyme And Reason

A beauty contestant delivers her version of world peace

The beauty pageant presenter was lively, but glib. 

The contestants competed against their rivals with forced smiles. Those with laughing eyes won through their nerves, although hate spewed from the irises of each individual. They continued across the stage with graceful elegance, even as he prattled on. 

But spectacular costumes, ecological messages, ancestral pride were all cut down by the inanity of verses like:

“A beautiful red flower.

This lady’s got power.”

"Her headdress has spin

It’s gone with the wind."

Later that day, he was found dead in his changing room, his soul departed, all broken-hearted. 

The coroner reported strange wounds that couldn’t be identified. 

I noted the pointed nails of Ghana, Aruba, and Denmark. Pondered India’s swirling diamond encrusted umbrella. I observed the feathered sabre of Guatemala, Curacao’s lance, the sharp beaded bracelets of Guinea, and Indonesia’s oddly angled decorative mask. Argentina’s leopard head smirked.

I recognised the culprit. 

I had given her my highest marks. 

When the police deemed the murder a cold case, I sent Miss Ireland a belated congratulations on her win.

Word count: 177

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