I am a prisoner,
Though my chains are silver and my cage is gold.
My time is short,
And come high noon I will be sold.

I cry in silence,
My tears hidden behind my veil.
The trumpets sound,
And I feel as if my heart will fail.

I walk in sorrowful grace,
Pure white silk trailing down the aisle.
My hair bound high,
Soldiers lined up in single file.

There he waits,
The one who will hold my chains.
He smiles in joy and bliss,
Blind to my grief and pains.

They watch,
Their eyes impassive and blank.
Oblivious,
To all the dreams their expectations sank.

I stop,
A strange feeling stirring deep inside.
I look at the Prince and smile,
I will not be his unwilling bride.

I turn,
Ripping the veil and freeing my hair.
Lifting my dress I run,
Smiling as gasps of shock fill the air.

I keep going,
Through the doors and down the street.
Laughing aloud,
I kick off my shoes and run in bare feet.

What is this,
This fierce, unwavering joy I feel?
It's my dreams, it's my freedom,
And I'm going to make them real.