rage and recovery

guenivere's story doesn't include happily ever after

lancelot found his own guenivere

with hair inky as the night sky

and a laugh that bubbles with joy

the lady of the night has enticed

the infallible lancelot

and guenivere is thankful.

but while guenivere's heart sings with joy

at the sight of lacelot

with his dull eyes and his crooked smile

lighting up the room

when the cool scent of jasmine

flows past him off the breeze of black hair,

she can't help but feel 

the sharp knife of envy

and the choking grief of loss

when she witnesses the freshness of new lovers

because while lancelot may have been conqured

with the gentle caress of the lady of the night

arthur has yet to allow the same release. 

he stands tall and true,

an unmoving oak in a bending willow forest,

a mask of stone across his handsome features

and no matter how delicately guenivere tries

to coax him from his fortress of solitude 

with the softest of smiles 

and the truest love,

it is not enough.

it will never be enough.

because arthur fears guenivere

and all she wishes to give him

so openly and willingly

ever the loyal and sacrificial subject.

and no matter how guenivere tries

that fear will always consume arthur

and it will be his ruin

and he will unknowingly

or uncaringly

bring guenivere with him.