I Was Once a Queen

 The orchestra played the royal march. I stepped down the throne. With my consort holding my hand, we marched around the hall. The onlookers lined beside our lane. They were all smiling at me. I demurely smiled back. I heard voices amid the crowd, calling my name. I gazed at their faces winked at them. Some people touched my gown. Still others tried to hold my hand  I gently waved at them a little. The march went on with my slow, regal steps  till we were at the center of the ballroom. Then, the waltz music played and we started the royal dance. I tiptoed and swayed in languid grace, with the hem of my flimsy gown of pink, embroidered  chiffon lace, being blown by the wind as we waltzed around the dance floor. I was .like a happy butterfly fleeting in the breeze. With the nimble feet of my consort, I felt so light as a floating cloud in his arms. We danced all night. We danced till the cock crowed, and my hair wet  with dew. The music stopped, the lights went out. Lady moon had quietly stalked away . What remained were the thousand distant stars in the sky, blinking at us .

Though nothing could bring back the splendor of that night, yet the thrill of the moment was forever dearly kept in my heart. I could never forget that once in my life, I was a queen. Yes, I was once, a queen; a one-night queen .

Note: This composition  (a narration of a first hand experience as a high school Queen Of Hearts / Miss Valentine 1960) was written in 1960 as Test IV { Essay writing) in English during the National Achievement Test for the fourth year high school students. Sweet high school memories. So nostalgic..