Better It Was

better it was that the castle lights were on
that the princess slogging through rain and mud
could see more clearly

the way through.
that from the halls came
the soft sounds of musicales

of court dances
then in favor.
how would they know her

among the coloured fountains
the spray of the wild sea on her cheek
lost amid locked gardens

in her merino cloak, bedraggled
with the tired look in her eyes
I could not surmise nor she

a certain nobility of posture that remained
a retience an elegance more of soul
then of the golden shoe

the ivory petticoat showing through
the some quality in the face
and in her clouded eyes

would gain her entrance.
even in disguise.

mary angela douglas 16 deptember 2017