Farewell, My Carlotta

My Dearest Carlotta,
my beloved inamorata,
you must be back in Austria,
far away from this dilemma.

I was an Austrian prince.
I let Napoleon convince
myself of greatness. 
As an emperor and empress,
we would make great progress.
When you took my hand,
we had a great land.

Believing it all
I ignored his recall.
It led to our downfall.
I was merely a puppet on a string
controlled by a faraway king.
We possessed a title with our name.
However, in lieu of fame,
I have brought us shame.

Little did I know
at the town of Queretaro,
there would be an ignominious defeat
in the searing summer heat.
All my forces crumbled.
I am now in a small cell humbled.

Please hear my plea.
Please forgive me 
for my gullibility.
I could not foresee
this fall into ignobility.
We have parted
leaving me broken hearted.

History must take its course.
Juarez shows no remorse.
I now await my demise
at tomorrow’s sunrise.

Your loving husband,
Maximilian
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

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