Princess Papula’s
Royal Decree by
Carmelita Lee
I’m
not sure I’d like the hassle
That
went with living in a castle
Cause
you know, no elevators,
Large,
deep moats and alligators,
getting
lost in passageways,
and
finding ghosts in galleyways
cold
and drafty, unlit rooms
and
boring, wasted afternoons
speaking
Latin with buffoons
embroid’ring
tapestry on looms,
wear
the same dress every day
sleep
on pillows stuffed with hay
peein’
in a chamber pot
in
a place that time forgot
then
marrying an inbred prince
who’ll
get my whole inheritance?
Nah.
I
just want a ranch-style place,
central
heating, private space,
three
up, two down, and ceiling fans,
and
entertainment on demand,
a
pool out back and hot tub too,
screened
patio and barbecue,
no
staff, no guards, no big intrigue
no
protocol, just Little League
a
comfy office where I can work
and
first names with the postal clerk,
a
pickup truck in my garage
standing
appointment for massage
and
internet with video cams
and
being caught in traffic jams
gimme
five-star comforts all the way
that’s
all this princess wants to say
oh,
and I chose the man I married
and
he’ll get to pay until I’m buried …
the
only place I’ll be a queen
is
in the house I have to clean
the
only crown I’ll ever wear,
the
dandelions in my hair.