In my world you are many things.

You are the eternal flame that rages within me,

fueling my desires and satiating my cravings.

My brightest and coolest days.

The knight who cares for nothing more than my hand;

to take me far, far away. To look after me

while I pick berries or the day's bouquet.

That’s just what it is.

An immeasurable yearning for your saving.

The desire to be the princess you rescue, to do unthinkable things for.

You’re the love who’d climb my window,

sweat above your brow after skulking past the guards,

my hair cascading down my back, rippled from the pleated styles

I’m told are only acceptable.

Where we’d share sweet strings of rebellion, and I’d offer you

a pink aster

from the arrangement that was picked that morning in return.

We would sneak off into secret crevices

of the royal garden only I know of,

where your hands would trace the curve of my waist, trailing up all the layers of skirts and coats,

my fingers tangled and tugging on brown curls that when struck by rays of the sun

are the color of the finest polished ambers in the first glint of dawn.

We’d do and say things the elders would deem absolutely

sinful, immoral. Unforgivable, wicked.

Soon thereafter, we’d stroll as if nothing happened.

By the hand, while I pluck marigolds, dahlias, carnations.

Occasionally hiding from my father’s guards that had been sent out in my search after skipping lecture.

Helping me mount the stallion, you hold the reins in your hand, where every so often I reach down with my own

and caress,

asking you to ride behind me for support I didn’t really need.

Giving in and settling down at my hips,

I’d melt into you, carefully avoiding the blade

hanging off to your side.

Luckily, the creature would grow old to our antics and would know just where to go despite the lack of guidance.

Lost in the depths of your eyes,

and your lips hovering just above mine,

he’d take us away.

 

If the story goes that I am to wed another,

you wouldn’t allow it, and we would run away

before even considering it.

And if it goes that you are the prince I am betrothed to

and we have the luxury of also being in love, then all the better.

 

Nevertheless, you are mine. And our story goes that no matter what, we always belong to each other.

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— A.M. Sención

2021