Dancing Rosaries

A dazzling green jade rosary lay upon her bed…
She draped it so softly over her head.
And while she slipped into a flowing white gown…
She couldn’t help but notice her frown.

Before she could say goodbye to her virginal youth…
She did what every little girl should do.
She knelt and prayed to the Blessed Mother Mary, and said…
“Mother Mary, protect me from all that is unholy and the undead.”

“I pray that you protect my son as you did yours…
Let me grow into the woman I am meant to be, not a simpleton’s whore.
Mother Mary, stay with me…
While I dance with your rosary.”

“I pray that you protect my heart and all that my future holds…
For I am nothing — or so I have been told.”
With a gentle kiss upon the cross, she looked up into the sky…
Stood up…and let the veil fall upon her eyes.

The only true mother she had ever known, she clasped in her hand…
While she slowly walked down to the bearded man.
He awaited her while she stared into space…
Thinking of dancing rosaries that blurred into his face.

Tears slowly slipped from her eyes…
For she knew this was her own goodbye.
A farewell to her innocence, to her womanly soul…
She wasn’t loved; she was being sold.

And suddenly, triumphantly, she fell to the floor…
Dropping Mother Mary just before the door.
A gentleman stood before her, lifting her up…
Whispered, “Go,” as she began to back up.

He threw a rosary into the air…
And caught it tightly, as she would in prayer.
She ran down the aisle and through the boisterous doors…
She belonged to no one anymore.

She made it back to her simple home, her simple room…
Took out her rosary and laid it upon her womb.
That night, she dreamt of dancing rosaries in flight…
And Mother Mary, who saved her from her plight.

For those who listen between the lines.
Elaine Degro