Ophelia

Ophelia awakes in the  
Dew-drenched morning light
She shakes the nightmares from her hair
Then brushes it one hundred times  
Ties it with frayed, white lace
Torn from the bridal gown she will never wear
 
Naked, leafless and blushed  
She walks across the room
Upon autumns lurid fingers  
Haunting thoughts of her mad prince
Intruding upon the idyll  
 
Ophelia steps out upon rosy heels  
Lady of perpetual youth
Condemned to everlasting chastity  
Love unguarded, unrequited  
And vouchsafed to no one  
Burdened to keep myopic daydreams  
Songs of love, longing and the loss of innocence  
Betrothed to hollow desire
Haunting her waking death
Desolate and naked in thought and soul.  
 
Ophelia lays her burden down
Falling through an eternity of skies
Coming to rest like a wilted lily  
Remnants of a broken heart
Wafting silently upon the fathomless shallows.