Corset

A corset tight around my waist

White powder across my nose

Was I doll, 

painted and dressed?

Pinned and prettied,

donned in the best?

A princess I was

soon to be queen

my wishes died

quiet and unseen.

My heart was tearing

like my dress at the seams

when I broke my corset

with my dreams.

I screamed at my mother

and wept all night long

stared at the moon

listened to her song.

She told me to run

far, far away

chase my dreams

not be mother's prey.

I awoke in the morning

and grabbed a sack

filled it with

knick-knacks.

I was gone that day

across the land

on my horse

the color of sand.

I lived as a peasant

on the rich countryside

Now I could smile

as I worked outside.

No more long dinners

no more masks

free from lies

and pointless tasks.

One day I met a man

eyes the color of sky

we fell in love

in the summer of July.

He wanted my hand

we would be married by dusk

what I didn't know

was that he was to be

the next King

of the land.