Runaways

Lips press gently upon her hand,
and she looks up into the face
of that man, the one with eyes
of green that see through
the levels of stately, formal actions
as they beg for more of the truth.
On any other occasion,
she should smile, glance down,
and then look away into the distance,
as was custom for a woman of rank,
and yet, those eyes were glistening
there, pleading her without words.
His hand was still upon hers,
but she felt nothing;
she was captivated by the misty waters
of the deep ocean that resided
behind that mask of comportment,
beyond the years of conforming.
No one noticed as the two slipped
from the ballroom,
no one saw the wordless exchange
of careful planning,
though they would find out soon enough
that they could cut their strings of obligation.
In a new world filled with savagery,
the two lovers found hope
and made a path through the wilderness
where none of noble garb dared tread.