It was on a summer day

That Aurora,

Sweet, sensible Aurora

Heard the news.

News of despair

Such a nightmare

She had never dreamed of.

Her only brother Pete

Aged eight

Had met a fate

Few wished upon

Their enemies.

Death by beasts

Within the woods

Torn to pieces

Gone… gone.

Her beloved brother

Unlike no other

Whom she had loved

So dearly.

Gone… gone.

The next few days

Were spent in a haze

Of pain and sorrow.

Aurora,

Sweet, sensible Aurora

Could not accept

The reality.

How could her brother

Who wasn’t foolish in the least

Been eaten by a beast?

Why had he ventured

Into a wood

Where he could

Meet death?

Her parents tried to show

Their love for Aurora

But Aurora,

Sweet, sensible Aurora

Could not dream

Of living a life

Without Pete.

And so she decided to seek -

No matter the options bleak -

A cure for her pain.

She traveled to the Witch

Said to live in the South.

A witch named Maleficent

Dark, with magical mouth.

Aurora trekked through hills

Through the heat and chills

Then came upon the cave

That housed Maleficent.

She knocked, being polite

And jumped in fright

As a voice called out,

“Enter!”

Aurora stepped inside

Nervous, trembling,

But determined.

Thick rugs covered

The cave floor,

And torches gave a mighty roar

As a woman in black

Stepped forth.

“Aurora,” she said,

High voice cold.

“I’ve been waiting

For your call.”

Aurora, trembling

Did not respond.

Maleficent swept closer.

“Come, my dear.

Tell me why you are here.”

Aurora opened her mouth

And took a deep breath.

“I come with one request.

I know my brother cannot return

No matter how much I yearn.

So I ask this of you

Maleficent the Great:

Rid me from this pain inside.

Like sleep, let these happenings be

Only dreams of the mind.

Let me Forget.

Let me Live

In Peace.”

Maleficent stared

Nostrils flared

Eyes wide.

“Is that what you wish,

Aurora, my dear?

That request is quite heavy,

I fear.”

“That is my true request,”

Aurora declared.

“Just ease my mind

And make me blind

To these horrible events.”

Aurora hoped for memory

Fresh and new,

To forget what was

And move on.

Maleficent paused

Thinking deep thoughts,

Then said,

“Very well, Aurora,

I will fulfill your request

And give your mind its rest.

And lest you change your

Burdened mind

I put forth a spell

That will make all unwind.

After one-hundred years

Of your mind so free

If a man comes to see

If you be his true love

And kisses you upon

Thine lips

You will, at last

Be truly free.”

Aurora stood straight:

“One hundred years?

Surely I will not live that long!”

Maleficent gave her a glare.

“You asked for my help

And I give you an answer

Take it or not

But I’m all you’ve got.”

Aurora frowned, then said,

“If you will give it,

Grant me peace.”

And so Maleficent raised

Her arms up high

And gave a cry

Ringing out

Upon the lands.

“So do I curse this woman

Standing before me!

So shall she sleep

For all eternity!”

At this, Aurora

Opened her mouth

In shock and horror

But Maleficent merely

Continued to shout,

“To rid her of grief,

I give her relief

From life!

Lest a man come

And choose her

As his love

She will sleep

Forever.”

Then night fell

And with it the spell

Leaving Aurora lying

Peaceful, quiet.

And so she remained

Until the fateful day

That the prince road forth

And freed her

From her dreams.