the princess

the princess wore her crown
but it felt heavy like iron pressing on her chest
she was told she was beautiful every day
but the words passed through her like wind over glass
she smiled for others
she nodded and danced in gilded halls
but inside she carried a quiet ache
a loneliness that no one painted in bright reds blues and yellow could touch
she watched the jester laugh
saw him give joy to everyone else
and it reminded her how empty her own chest felt
she wondered if anyone could see the shadow behind her eyes
the quiet grief she folded into her skirts
she longed for someone to hold the sorrow with her
but the world demanded smiles
and she gave them anyway
her beauty a mask
her sadness a secret she could not release
and each night in her chamber
she whispered to the darkness
and it whispered back nothing at all