The Damsel

The damsel with gilded hair looked down over her silk bodice

lace bounding her body like a cage

The men sneered as her eyes strayed further down

down, into nothing

until her eyes saw only an abyss

She heard the vows spoken

promises that sounded like curses

threats conveyed as confessions of love

As she inhaled the overwhelming incense

the burning fragrance of holy water

She felt the emptiness wash over her like a drug

It was time for her to speak now

"I do."

{Author's Note: thank you for reading my poem, which was inspired by the Unequal Marriage. It has been one of my favorite pieces of art since I first discovered it, and I have since been fascinated by the story behind it's meaning. }