In the Emotionary, this poem is filed under the emotion: Fear.
Rain treads heavily against the pied glass
Petals start to wither, burying the path
Ladies in pastel lining up with rehearsed smiles
Toddler wails in harmony with the girls’ tantrums
Organ builds a sullen prayer, as all eyes drop
Upon the ivory portrait, which some begrudge
Dragging every step along with their perpetual persuasion
She clenches her bouquet, each bud gasping for air
She meets their expectant gazes, as they claim
How it’s a match dictated only by fate
Her lips tremble as a muffled voice tries to escape
Her eyes prickle with tears, burning down her rosy cheeks
Feeling the thorns gripping her locked-up heart
She catches his indifference, face turned to another maid
Her breath steadying once she reaches the altar
Two hauntingly mild words and she can have it all
Mansion with a maze of hollow rooms and corridors
Tiny feet scurrying around a yard of lofty hedges
Playing tea and biscuits with sarcastic wives
Hardworking husband, she won’t see as much
Dropping the veil, outcry falls behind her
She tosses the roses away
About the Author
Marielle Innah Valmores is an aspiring screenwriter and director. Born in the Philippines, she moved to Vancouver to take up creative writing. Her written pieces explore societal issues, female empowerment, culture, and identity.