The Winter Queen

It was long ago,

and in a strange land,

and besides the wench

is dead.

Is that all that is to be

said of a woman whose

beauty ruined herself

and a nation?

In her eyes there was

a sadness which I saw

briefly lift a moment

before night fell.

She was shrouded in winter

and shrouds seemed

and were

what was needful.

Our loving, meteor-like

across one night’s sky

before falling to earth

forever.

I wished her well

but did her wrong,

but Fate was inexorable

she did that.

To be born to position

she could not uphold,

men wanted her

but not for herself.

For herself, I wanted

her, for naught else,

and frozen in time she fades

the Winter Queen.