Unwilling Captive

Unwilling Captive

She’s bound hand and foot and then tied to the mast.
The captive bride goes to her doom.
Forcibly taken from hearth and home
She goes to meet her unknown groom.

Barbarian warriors invaded her land,
Raped and plundered to claim their due.
Death and destruction their only plan,
But to what end, she can’t construe.

Though only fourteen, she’s a woman full-grown,
Rounded body and face so fair.
A worthy prize for the heathen king
Her thoughts are full of deep despair.

She’s scented with oils and then stripped to the waist.
A pagan priest performs the rite.
The bridegroom smirks as she shakes with fear,
Dreading what will happen this night.

A long, tortured wait, but the dawn finally comes.
Asking forgiveness for her deed,
A hidden knife slits his throat, then hers;
She prays for mercy as they bleed.

20 lines
rhyme: abcb
rhythm: 11-8-9-8