Inner City Princess

When she was little, they fed her a dream
A castle, some magic; a king and a queen.
Princes on horseback and silver-clad knights,
Cats upon cushions and star-spangled nights.
Robes of red velvet and soft satin sheets,
Everything she could want laid at her feet,
But then she grew older, believed it no more
And the fairytales gathered dust on the cold floor.

Locked in her fortress of concrete and glass,
Watching the gold and the gilt turn to brass,
Counting the days between sunlight and sky,
Wishing for freedom; wishing to fly.
Like Cinderella before the Grand Ball,
Blindly obeying them, hating them all,
Of written wisdoms, remember but one-
Wait for the moment when true love will come.

Under the sofa, a poor man's throne,
A book of old stories- forgotten, alone.
Dog-eared and well-thumbed, each once-treasured page
Is a poignant reminder of happier days.
But maybe a remnant of magic remains-
A spark of bright purity to break the chains
Of long-laboured sorrow; it seems no-one thinks
To turn themselves from a frog into a prince.

Seventeen summers have passed in their pride,
Seventeen kisses are saved for a bride,
Whispers of promises yet to be made,
So, my fair princess, please don't be afraid.
You are still but young- you have thousands of days
To spin your bright circle; to laugh and to play
To walk in the forest, to dream and to sing,
For 'Friendship is love, only lacking his wings'.

Someday you'll see him when fortunes are right,
Cloaked in his everyday armour, your knight,
No-one can say; it's for you to discover-
Friend or acquaintance, husband or lover.
Jewels and glass slippers he may not provide,
But in him's a soulmate in whom to confide.
The stars in the heavens will look down and bless
The prince and his inner-city princess.

Dedicated to my best friend Beki for her 17th birthday! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx