her reign of terror

her reign of terror was
brief
but deadly.
her demands
and rules were ruthless.
her silent treatment,
her withholding of affection.
her temper,
her tantrums.
spreading fear with an
iron fist.
lives were lost,
land taken,
futures were put on hold,
dreams deferred.
hearts broken.
if there was any hope
it was
extinguished by
her endless purge.
the guillotine got a work
out,
the noose,
the sword, the electric
chair,
the firing squad.
but she was a charming queen.
she had her
throne,
her crown.
her court jesters and
admirers who gave her
unconditional love.
all of them fooled
by her double life, and
covert ways.
how they learned to bow.
somehow I escaped, got away
in the dead of night
sprung free by a friendly
guard who stole
a horse that provided
me with flight.
giddy up.