a face of pale
the white washed cheeks
hidden from the jealous sun
that thought it was the center
lips of dripping red
the petals thrown before her feet
the pools and streams
and tides and seas of crimson flow
for her heart, her hand, her words
a collar lace
encasing great power
in blooming standard
a nation's rose who yields
both beauty and thorns
and is trimmed as so
each plant in its place
in the monarch's garden
a heart forsaken
yet its chambers wise
which bled for her children
and was laid on the stone altar
for its own sacrifice of yore
for time and time again
a woman must give up all
and truly be alone
to wield scepter, crown and throne
