child bride

cold snap buried the unfurled crocuses alive

her braided hair the labyrinth of family tradition

hoarfrost carved a budding rose her wedding gown

her nose pin a crescent moon in the hazy sky

cold wind chimes her bangles

dust out of cocoon the wingless butterfly

rouged cheeks of a teen girl tangerine sky

twilight murmuration summed up her freewill

her crimson silhouette on the aisle fallen rose petals

FemKuMag, issue#29, 2021