Midnight's Stroke

I hate roses
And fake promises.
Gold that replaces
The blood of hearts.

I hate guys that
Have money to
Mask away
Their faults.

To be kind
To be firm
To be humble
Those guys are hard to find.

But a king
Must be such.
As queen I must have
Such a partner.

I am the princess
The one above all.
The crown on my head
Bestows me the throne.

The throne I can
Rule alone without men.
But the kingdom
Cannot do without a suitable king.

The music rings
The food is sweet.
The champagne rich
And the dancers alive.

They are beautiful
All graceful
Handsome
And royal.

It makes me sick
To look at them.
Their hungry eyes
Burning into my throne.

Someone new has
Entered the ball.
My attention has turned
He was different.

A satin suit
Leather shoes
Golden chains
And a jeweled crown.

He looked the same
If slightly better
But the way he held
Himself.

Tall but slightly
Humble.
Shy yet a little
Powerful.

He would do.
I danced with him
That night.
Only him.

He was funny
Charming
Handsome
And very kind.

He was everything
I wanted
For my kingdom's
King.

Maybe even
For me.
He was so docile
So in need of protection.

I smiled
I would give
Him that
Protection.

A distant chiming
Rang in my ear.
The castle clock.
Midnight's stroke.

He turned away
A look of fear
On his face
Of total dismay.

He ran away from
The castle.
I ran after him.
He didn't look back.

Midnight's hour I stand alone.
Holding a leather shoe
The last link
To him.