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.