Ceremony of Shame

She trembled in anticipation Dressed in white the perfect bride She was surrounded by people Who nodded and who smiled, They were all apart of creating this ceremony, Even though she did not want this, Even though she was under age, The marriage ceremony and this bond Had been created well beyond Her power to control or resist, She was here Powerless And if she had run And if she had hid, Her family would have paid the price for it, They would have to live, a life of shame She could not allow this in her name, Her groom who was so much older Went to great lengths to let her know that, There was no choice And no way out, Of this fact she had no doubt. So married she was, though under age Another victim of legalised child abuse and no doubt rape, All of this against her will No chance to appeal, Or show her rage It's a ceremony of shame.