The little princess sleeps.
She is delicate, porcelain.
Rosy cheeks,
Icy fingers.
Tiny toes wrapped in cashmere.
Silver grey bonnet worn like a pixie.
The dove from her gown takes flight.
The king and queen stand by.
The candlelight flickers.
Hand in hand.
Despair.
***
Sometimes it seems Florence is a character in a fairy tale. The beautiful perfect little girl with the prettiest name. She belongs in a land of magic, of dragons, and goblins and fairies dancing in the flowers.A land with happy endings.
The truth is far more brutal, stark and terrifying.
