Alix Poetry

A title, finally, a rather obvious one: "A Princess of Hesse: A Novel in Free Verse."
I THINK that's what this type of poetry is called.

7.

The beautiful flowers

Surround us

On the lush grass

The sound of pencils

Scratching on paper

As Ksenia and I sketch.

We talk like we’ve

Known each other

More than a few days.

Ella and Irene approach us

Sit down beside us on

The colourful blanket

Their skirts spread elegantly.

Ella tucks a flower

Behind my ear

I don’t feel so dreadful now

At the prospect of loosing her.

I see Nicholas come towards us

He kneels behind me

Praises my sketch

Teases Ksenia

Calls her a funny nickname.

I try to keep sketching

Not show the strange feeling

I get inside

From him being so close.

Ksenia asks if I have any nicknames.

Grandmamma calls me Sunny sometimes.

Nicholas asks if he can call me that.

It suits you, he says.

I glance warily at Irene

She looks dubious

But Ella is laughing.

No, I don’t mind, I consent

Feeling a funny little thrill

As I say it.

8.

Clinking glasses

Chatter

In languages I can’t understand.

The Tsar at the head of the table

His son at my side.

My cheeks feel hot

I wish I could go outdoors.

I look across the table

At Ella

Laughing with Sergei

Her beautiful eyes sparkling.

I’m going to

Loose her

Companionship

Guidance

Love

In just a few weeks.

To Sergei.

Before tears sting my eyes

In front of everyone,

I block those thoughts

Out of my mind.

I can feel Nicholas’s eyes on me.

I can’t help it

I turn my head.

Instantly

My face becomes

Even more warm

And I look down,

Unable to look him

In the eye.

Inwardly I smile

Forgetting for a moment

That he can’t see it.

But I’m too bashful

To smile to his face.

Yet.