A Hand, No Matter What

Elegant words to frame the proposal.

There is nothing a father wouldn’t do for his daughter –

A cart of coin sent on its way,

A gracious letter returned the next day;

Signed and sealed for a young lady’s hand.

Such a shame she couldn’t care.

Open doors to frame the scene.

There is nothing a father wouldn’t do to his daughter –

Raised voices chasing servants,

Whispering following a thud;

A refusal is not befitting a young lady.

Such a shame she is no longer here.

Pulled lace to frame the fineries.

There is nothing a father wouldn’t do for his daughter –

Scents imported from the continent,

Satins sailing from the distant heat;

Kept and dressed as a young lady should be.

Such a shame she is no longer here.

Filigreed silver to frame the perfection.

There are some things a father wouldn’t notice about his daughter –

Rose blush turning to tarnished ivory,

Eyes turning black and hollow;

A true reflection of a young lady’s plight.

Such a shame no one will hear.

Plaited curls to frame her fair.

There are some things a father would ignore about his daughter –

Black and blue beneath the dress,

Tears beneath a veil;

A young lady turned into a real woman.

Such a shame she was never here.