Ever After

Fairytale
life, once a dream,
has now become her reality.
The prince came riding his noble steed.
On bended knee, wedding ring in hand,
he promised her riches and gowns,
perchance even a crown.
Every poor girls'
fairytale.

Happily,
she accepted him,
forsaking the old life
for a chance at a happy ending.
Little could she suspect another destiny
waited within the high castle walls.
A life caged in stone
quietly living un-
happily.

Freedom
the princess craved.
To fly above the royal guard,
away from the prince's silken chains.
On wings of simple hopes and torn dreams.
To speak again without reproach,
her tongue tasting once more
a morsel of
freedom.

Fairytale
dreams are no more.
Under falling twilight
the princess saw her final escape.
Clutching handfuls of white satin and lace,
she cast off her cursed glass slippers.
Barefoot, smiling, she fled -
running from her
fairytale.

Line Count: 36
Entry for "Invalid Item" 
Ricatmeter Pure Form: (2/4/6/8/10/8/6/4/2 syllables per stanza)
3rd Place - "Invalid Item"