Current mood:	creative
Current music:	the traffic in town

More poetry
Bloody Mary

Chieftest pearl.
That’s what my father called me—
he who was England’s golden King,
who knew what he wanted and would always get it.
I heard his god-like voice and smiled,
knowing he was sorely dissatisfied.
I was Great Harry’s daughter,
but I was not the heir he wanted.

Accursed bastard.
That’s what the Usurper called me—
she who was a brazen, black-eyed witch,
who wanted my mother’s crown and would fight to wear it.
I endured her stinging slaps and insults,
knowing she would soon fall in her pride.
I was Anne Boleyn’s enemy,
and mine was the death she wanted.

Stubborn Papist.
That’s what my brother called me—
he who was my father’s only son,
who wanted Latin prayer gone and would strive to subdue it.
I took bread and wine in the ancient way,
knowing I was a thorn in his side.
I was King Edward’s sister,
but I was not the reformer he wanted.

Admirable lady.
That’s what my husband called me—
he who was a son of Spain,
who earned my love but would not return it.
I waited to look upon our child and heir,
knowing I was a barren bride.
I was Prince Philip’s wife,
but I was not the woman he wanted.

Cruel nightmare.
That’s what my sister called me—
she who was the daughter of my enemy,
who defied me always but would never admit it.
I sent her to the moldering confines of the Tower,
knowing I could not keep her inside.
I was Lady Elizabeth’s sister,
and mine was the throne she wanted.

Bloody Mary.
That’s what my people call me—
they who hate foreigners and Papists,
who seek peace with my death and will now see it.
I turned these heretics back to Rome,
knowing they will not long abide.
I was England’s ruler,
but I am no longer the Queen they want.

~~~

Dinner at Home

Delicate curves,
matching the hand’s every contour.
Crafted appliqués,
teasing the eye with each wave and curl.
Mirrored silver,
bouncing back distorted reflections.
Pointed tines,
stretching long and fine.
A craft to appreciate,
a tool to make use of.
Three of them lie on the table tonight,
forming a triangle,
when I wish there were four,
completing a circle.