it's not easy being queen.
it's hard constantly being in the public eye -
keep smiling! someone mutters in her ear,
and mary's lips curl up into a forced smile
as she gazes upon her people.
~:~
they love her.
not the real her,
of course not.
the image of her that
they had painted for themselves.
~:~
if they would just stop painting her
in their minds
in shades of silver and gold
maybe they would stop being
so devastated
when she really turned out to just
be dark as coal.
~:~
she is no hero.
she is no vengeful angel
come to save Scotland.
laughable!
she can't even save herself.
~:~
sometimes she thinks
she is more like catherine than
either of them had ever imagined.
ruthless.
carefully tucking away her heart.
trapped in a world of men
who seek to tear them down.
just alike, really!
~:~
don't worry,
she wants to say to catherine and elizabeth.
i know you're stuck in a world ruled by men
filled with lies and deceit
bruises hidden carefully by sweeping sleeves
and long skirts.
(okay maybe that was just her)
but i am too, see.
don't let them break you.