Cake is Better: In Memory of Marie Antoinette

Cake is Better: In Memory of Marie Antoinette

By Hannah Skipper

October 16, 2023, marks 230 days since Marie Antoinette’s death.

The howling masses shall not go hungry.

Let them eat cake.

Cake is better.

They call for bread; whining in the streets for pumpernickel, sourdough, and rye.

Of course, they do; they’re just ignorant rabble.

Needing a royal hand like mine to show them the best way.

Bread may be nutritious, but cake is delicious.

Don’t they know? How could they not?

Don’t their personal chefs feed them the right way?

Let them eat cake.

Cake is better.

Spread the frosting, layer on the sprinkles, lick the icing off the side.

Let them eat cake.

Cake is better.

They say that bread and water are for surviving.

I say cake is for thriving.

Besides, what else would I serve my guests?

Please don’t let the people ruin my party.

Please send that loud complaining mob away.

Let them eat cake.

Cake is better.

Why are the people railing on the streets now?

They have no right to agitate against the king and I.

We only want what’s best for them.

That’s always been our goal.

What did the Estates eat at their meeting anyways?

Didn’t they have their fill at that famous tennis match?

Let them eat cake.

Cake is better.

Oh, how I long to cut just one more piece.

There’s so much slicing going on these days.

Why can’t we all just eat a little more?

My party simply can’t end this way.

Let them eat cake.

Cake is better.

This piece first appeared in the Fellowship & Fairydust issue Happy & Glorious: A Royal Celebration.

Original Poetry