nine lives
v. oh, so many maidens!—but only one prince.

dispatch messengers at once, my good lord,
to send invitations for the prince's grand ball;
if my liege lord desires a bride-hunt,
i shall give him one.

lord messenger, pray
do not forget the fair maiden
braiding her hair in the tall tower, guarded by dragons
far far away in the damp North;
she is hard to miss, sir, with stars girdled in her hair.
and in the kingdom over, there is a princess
of snow-white skin; her honey-apple lips
are said to be the hue of blood.
there is an unconscious beauty, encircled
by thorn-mazes and stairwells grown rampant
with hemlock and the lethargy of day's white-greyness,
who waits only for your message
to deliver her an eternity make sure the invitation arrives.

and the soot-faced kitchen girl—
and the warrioress, her blade as sharp as her wit—
and the singing mermaid by the sea—
so many maidens!—but only one prince charming;
which one, i wonder, will have him?