Empress

How much power will I gain

In return for naked soul

And a conscience with a stain?

In my belly there's a hole

Extorted by vacant greed

Solitude is always sole

Are you rich enough to breed?

Are you weak enough to play?

Are you strong enough to bleed?

Others will not shake to slay

Those who dare oppose to them

Long a while laws've gone astray

So don't bid me what I am

I'm not happy to pretend

I'm still feeding on the stem

My back's not the one to bend

My head's talking to itself

Never ever try to mend

Me, when world has gone insane

I would very much like you to read once again the poem I posted as the first one here. This terza rhima re-tells the story of a Russian empress Katherine, who was 'sold' as a teenager to her husband's family, never appreciated by her husband. Finally she gained control over the empire and half of the continent in fact, using her wits and - her body. Very contemporary... I just wonder whether she managed to keep at least some of her innocence and original personality....