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.