Unable To Resist

Unable To Resist
© Surazeus
2024 12 14

To sweep angry words from the palace floor 
she pulls the witch broom from her fairy spine, 
then waltzes neath the crystal chandelier 
as if she were sweet princess of the snow, 
then hurries home in narrow alleyways 
to bring stale bread to her large family. 

The elegant duke in white uniform 
rides black horse prancing slow on the stone bridge, 
holding long silver sword curved like the moon, 
then gallops swiftly toward the jeering crowd 
that clamors at the gates of paradise 
and beheads leader of the rebel gang. 

When poor people starving in wooden shacks 
outnumber the rich in grand palaces, 
great empires topple from the lack of bread, 
and kings who think citizens of the land 
are slaves who labor to increase their wealth 
are always caught when they flee to escape. 

To cleanse harsh suffering of her bitter pain, 
the palace maid feeds her mother with soup 
made from meat of rats and potato peels, 
but her mother groans and sinks into death, 
so they toss her on the passing corpse cart, 
then she returns to sweep the palace floor. 

Unable to resist its royal grace, 
the palace maid tries on the long pink gown 
and twirls slowly alone in the dark hall, 
waltzing in glimmer of the winter ball 
to heart-enchanting music of the band, 
but stops at sight of the elegant duke. 

Before she can race back to the wardrobe, 
the palace maid gasps with eager surprise 
when the elegant duke with curly mustache 
sweeps her across the ballroom in his arms, 
and face to face they twirl among the stars, 
hearts beating in harmony of true love. 

Just as their lips connect their hearts in love, 
she whispers, "I am but the palace maid, 
wearing this dancing gown your sister wore," 
but he smiles slightly with mysterious charm, 
"I often watch you sweep the palace floor, 
so I will crown you duchess of my heart." 

Galloping together on his black horse, 
they elope from the palace to live free 
far from strict social rules at his lake farm, 
but his uncle the Tsar fires the long gun, 
one bullet piercing their united hearts, 
so they bleed red, embraced in silver snow.