The Bride Long ago when I was young All my life was so well planned, I would meet a handsome prince who'd ask my dad for my hand; We'd marry and inhabit Happy-ever-after land. My parents had other plans Where love never had a place I was born in the wrong home A member of the wrong race. A strange young man was procured We met just twice face to face. Tried reason, pleaded my case, Different suitors or more time; Wasn't granted - dates were fixed, Dowry found, kameez of lace; Guests invited, no-one missed - They all said I looked sublime. Shackled inside my prison Bound by convention and pride I heard the jury's verdict, Judge's sentence:  Life inside.                                 Verica Peacock (The Inn Scribers) © Copyright 2007 All rights reserved