The Princess and the Pauper

She moaned from minarets in the high castle

She’d been caged in.

She watched the larks and the doves as they flew

From view

Again and again.

The prince of the castle, a tyrant unpleased,

Envious of the unknown pauper unseen.

She saw him below the tower she’d cried from.

Little did she know that it was for her that he’d come.

He had heard her screams, and hid his emotions,

Certain that he was not for who her cries had sung.

Still, he sought those bright eyes and attention,

And when finally approached, she did not then run.

The pretty princess wrote poems for the poor pauper

And made him feel privileged again.

He took those sweet words to head and to heart

Until at long last, they made love in the dark.

A moment of pleasure to be repeated moreover--

Ecstasy till the warm morning had passed.

But they each knew she’d have to return to her tower.

Moments like this could not ever last.

The prince yelled of her indiscretions of love,

Pushing her down, wounding the dove.

Her voice lowered now in a final attack,

Telling him that she would never come back.

She told the poor pauper of the fight and her freedom,

And he wondered what it was she’d now want.

Would she truly stay with someone such as him,

Or would she want to feel freedom she’d finally won?

Hesitation arose from his voice and shaking hands,

Hoping that she might hold his once again.

The princess and the pauper had futures unknown,

But the pauper pushed forward, the only way he could go.

Perhaps, the light on the horizon was true,

Or perhaps just from castles burned down in the feud.

He feared that it was just a brilliant sunset,

But prayed for a sunrise and bright days yet to get.

Reviews

[CHRIS ANDES]

this can be a retelling of a fairy tale, but with a personal touch.
Keep writing! :)

[Coyote Poetry]

'The pretty princess wrote poems for the poor pauper
And made him feel privileged again.
He took those sweet words to head and to heart
Until at long last, they made love in the dark."
I enjoyed the tale. I like the logical ending. Each of us have unknown journeys to go to. To try to figure what we truly need. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote