Light poured in

shaping a path on the floor

that many have followed

to the ledge

of the window

My bare feet

padded on cold stone

down the light path

and stepped carefully

onto the open edge

Wind rippled my simple dress

white as lamb

white like snow

I shivered

down my spine

to my feet

they shifted

toes to heels

heels to toes

The bright view

concealed dark history

crimson stories

of girls before me

Look out and see

the whole kingdom

glittered in good fortune

Look straight and see

florid buildings

intricate streets

steeples and bells

Look far and see

rolling hills

distant mountains

crops and herds

But to look down-

the ground is far

the rocks look soft

and sinister.

I can see them below

since I know they’re there.

I can make out

the old bones

cracked and scattered

the tattered ivory fabric

once a dress

browned by old blood

the girls before me

who found a way down

from this tower

an exit

from this reality

I can imagine them falling

white dress billowing

a surrender flag

or a freedom dove

I did not know which

Heels to toes

toes to heels

Each of us is kept

high and away

to represent purity

and innocence

a girl

to save the sanctity

of a whole kingdom

dressed in white

and locked away

a sacrifice

Only the Men of the High Table

would ascend the tower

for I was theirs

like the girls before me

Used and thrown

bloodied and bruised

and then given

a fresh white dress

Toes to heels

heels to toes

my feet shifted but my balance

remained strong

Scarlett, burning anger

filled my chest

as I gazed down

at the girls before me

To jump was abruptly

no longer an option

(deep inside

it never was)

Out the window

a hawk screeched

wings powered it by

it’s red tail flashed

in sync with the fury

behind my eyes

For the girls before me

for the girls after me

it had to be a fight

I was no porcelain lamb

I am a bloodied wolf

I am a hawk

Incarnadine

Heels to toes

toes to heels

and I turned on them.