pretty horses.

Once upon a time,

Princess Em was four.

For her birthday of five,

She asked for a horse.

 

Her parents, the king and queen,

Asked where she’d keep the mare,

For they didn’t have a barn near their lair.

She replied, “I’ll keep her in my room instead.”

 

The king and queen

Laughed at her innocence and purity

And got her a fish,

To build her sense of responsibility.

 

Her birthday of fifteen,

Princess Em spent wondering,

She had all the pearls and gems.

What more should she ask for?

 

 The king and queen open their riches

For every 12^th of monsoon

Every year for Em,

To teach her the value of time and wealth.

 

Few years passed,

The princess began to blossom,

She was full of love,

And wished for special someone.

 

Princess Em thought,

Of a prince filled with music and love,

Just for her.

He’d be the one.

Of chivalry and dreams.

 

A special someone, 

Who’d even go to prison for her.

 

And so, she met Prince Kay.

A man of morals and dignity.

They fell in love instantly.

 

For the new couple,

Two years passed happily.

They passed universe’s every test.

Little did they know,

Their deepest demons of innocence

Were waiting patiently. 

 

 

Princess Em learnt to accept

And move on.

Prince Kay’s fears often held him back.

 

Communication and Respect,

The pillars of their relationship

Began to crumble.

As they struggled to fit the key.

 

The couple fought frequently

About their safety and dignity.

So, they bought a magic mirror.

 

 The one who feels unheard and hurt asks,

“Mirror, Mirror, on the wall.

Who was fairest of us both?”

The mirror replies, “it is You, my keeper.”

 

To this, Princess Em and Prince Kay,

Stand puzzled and confused.

Unable to decipher the “You”.

 

Once upon a time,

Princess Em was four.

For her birthday of five,

She wanted a horse.

 

Now that the Princess has bloomed,

She builds herself up

With hope, and affirms,

“I deserve all the pretty little horses”.

 

She reassures the little girl in herself,

Still stuck in survival mode.

Little Em hopes Prince Kay

Wouldn’t let the music die alone.

-Manya Singh Patel