(Portrait of Princess Elena Pavlovna Belosselsky-Belozersky
can be found at the Georgia Museum)
Servant-Princess Elena to Patrons
Your grand pearls cannot fool mine eyes
Your soft, supple lips upturned into your meek smile
A shy, soft woman, fearful to deny
Purified in white and a shoulderless style
Palatable princess with silvery scents
Belle coat of illuminating pearls
Bell constraining you to your gents
Keeping you held tightly to those earls
Smile and be still and be stunning
Dainty and serviceable lady
Compelled to be called on, come running
At the silvery sound of a bell fading
Content to be a wonder
They dress you up and wear you down
Soon to be a mother
Of a country bathed in red, satin gowns
Strong, sad, serviceable ruler
A beauty draped in white
Men in your life become crueler and crueler
You’ll vanish into the night