THE LONG QUEEN - KEY QUOTES

The long queen

couldn’t die

then taken time

for a husband

her word of law

was in their bones

unseen she

ruled and reigned

what were

her laws?

the pain when a girl first bled to be

insignificant, no cause for complaint,

Tears:

salt pearls, bright jewels

push till the room screamed scarlet

and children bawled and slithered into their arms

no mother bore daughter not named

to honour the queen

to the high window

she watched from

light music of girls, the drums

of women, the faint strings of the old