Taking the Memories

The crowds can't take the memories away
Of times before he came into her life;
Remembering the girl who used to play,
Before she learnt the game of being wife;
And it's a joyless role to entertain
A spouse who begs and simply can't atone
For torrid nights. She longed for once again
The childhood bed and lamp - she would have flown
To mother, trying on another dress,
Prepared to be the queen of that night's ball;
And father with the goodnight kiss: his stress
On sleep and rest and dreams, which she'll recall
Now it is over and all that remains
Are crowds and execration and bloodstains.