The Golden Maid

she gave up the years that passed her south

a useless void, a sucking mouth

eight twice and on the chin a kiss

so far a dazzling dizzy miss

pressed on a dance in twelve inch heels

stop twice the weighted man he feels

the next year out, her short a foot

a golden maid, footprints of soot

sing diddle the fat hen and golden egg

she lost her wits and thrice did beg

ashes and dust her skin flakes fell

another hill, a mountain swell

by the road she left them lie

a fire on the wind to die

sifting soft the half past still

she walked one pace and one pace killed

a memory gift for a broken king

her empty past was just the thing

a crown at sea, a storm-tossed man

she’d seen the world in just his hand

and though he loved, she loved not back

he had for shining things a knack

a lovely voice, a kissing mouth

she watched the sea as he sailed south

twice tripped each night coming bright

sun song is basking in the light 

cross the lines that make her face

sixteen years she’s won the race 

but peasants have no use for trifles

down the throat the gullet stifles

venom comes in pretty bottles

lovely braids as soon as throttle 

she spent her days coin for the fair

a laughing maiden with golden hair

too young to see between the stars

sixteen years and come too far

she gave up the tales that drew her north

an armored prince, a prancing horse

six and ten and tear tracked well

so far it’s rather hard to tell