The Night Rapunzel Ran Away
Once upon a time,
There was a princess who loved to rhyme.
Rapunzel was her beautiful name,
And her poems put all others to shame.
She was stuck up in a tower,
Rhyming away to pass the hour,
When Mother called up to her for her hair,
So Rapunzel threw it down without a care.
It got stuck on an old grey brick,
So she tried again, hoping it wouldn't stick.
This time she got it down all the way
And she strained her ears to hear Mother say:
"Pull up Rapunzel, you could use the strength!
And your hair's gotten longer, I wish it was a shorter length!"
Rapunzel could barely hear her shout,
But responded with saying: "Mother, cut it out!"
Mother said as Rapunzel pulled her higher:
"I would need a chainsaw my arms wouldn't tire."
"It's okay, Mother. I use it for you."
"But I could use the stairs. You wouldn't have to.
"Anyway, I'm going out again tonight.
I hope you can stay here without a fright."
Rapunzel was sad to see Mother go.
It was so soon after her last trip, you know?
"I can handle it by myself here."
She said, "I know, but I still worry, dear."
"I love you Mother." "And I love you more."
"I love you most." And she went toward the "door".
Mother opened the window to a lovely sunset.
"I'll see that in person, someday. You bet!"
As Mother heard this, she began to panic.
Every time Rapunzel said this, Mother started acting manic.
"No! You can't! I won't let you leave."
"But Mother, I really want to! Just... please!"
"I'm sorry, darling, but no means no."
"Fine. Not today, but one day I will go."
Mother knew she would not give way,
but Mother was confident that she could keep her at bay.
"No more arguing. I've had enough.
I'll be back soon with all of our stuff."
"Okay Mother. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bicker.
It's just that I really want to see the sun flicker.
It looks so pretty out there by the hills.
I'd love to write a poem, but I have to experience all of the thrills."
"I know, sweetheart, but it's safer in our tower.
I keep you in here so no one will hurt my flower."
And down the side of the building she went,
Using the hair that waved and bent.
Rapunzel watched her hair blow in the wind
While Mother looked up at her and grinned.
She waved a goodbye and Rapunzel did, too,
But she wondered and wondered about what to do.
Rapunzel thought that while she waited
She would write another poem to feel less deflated.
Writing a poem always cheered her up.
Especially when she was down on her luck.
She thought and though about the sun
And wished that she could just have some fun!
Rapunzel wished it with all of her might
And that's when she heard a sound in the night.
She heard a faint clopping, like hooves on a horse
And thought: What's that sound?! It's a racket, of course!
As she listened to the sound come closer to her,
She realized it was a knight in shining armor!
He was traveling from afar
When he saw a tower so bizarre.
The young prince was taken back
When he saw a shadow, tall and black.
What came next, he never would guess
Who showed herself-none other than the lost princess!
He was in awe with her very long hair
And a perfect face, beautiful and fair.
He called up to ask her: "What is your name?"
"They call me Rapunzel, but what's the reason you came?"
"I was off on a trip to the closest kingdom,
Went back through the forest, but got lost 'cuz I'm dumb.
I thought I knew the way, but here I am,
With the most beautiful princess, oh yes ma'am.
And now that I see you, I know this:
I shall not leave you without a kiss."
Rapunzel just stood there, frozen and blushing
Until she realized she'd better be rushing.
Mother would be back soon, before the sun rose,
So she made a decision, right there on the nose.
"You must hurry!" she said with so much delight
And threw down her hair in the coming sunlight.
"Just grab on and I'll pull you up here!"
She shouted down to his highness with fear.
Sure, she'd been carrying Mother all these years,
But what if she dropped him and he fell on his ears?!
She cringed at the thought of dropping him so high.
It better be worth it, worth kissing this guy.
He was almost at the top
And she saw the moon was about to drop.
"I have to make this quick." she said,
Being more than careful not to drop him on his head.
Finally, he was inside the tower
And thought she grew more beautiful by the hour.
Since the prince was finally up close,
He could see her cheeks were the color of a rose.
She reminded him of the very pretty way
The sun sets at the end of the day.
He had no words to romance his lady,
So instead, he took a step forward, lamely.
He saw in her eyes there was no hesitation-
It was love at first sight for him and this wonderful creation.
He leaned in and kissed her in a most romantic way
Just before night turned into day.
"You must go now. Mother will be here."
"I will, but only 'till night again, my dear."
He rode down the tower on the very long hair,
Which belonged to the princess, both beautiful and fair.
He and his horse were gone in a flash
On their way to his kingdom, a place called Gardash.
His highness was gone, not after long
And Mother came home, singing a song.
She called to Rapunzel, who let her hair down
To pull up her mother, back from the town.
"Good morning, my love. You're up early today.
You should get some sleep. It's too early to play."
"Yes, Mother, I will! Right away!
But first, I have something important to say."
"I'm all ears, darling. What is it now?"
Rapunzel thought about telling her, but how?
Since she met the prince last night,
She knew that it was love at first sight.
She wanted to let him take her away,
But how could she leave poor Mother in dismay?
Rapunzel decided then and there
That she would not tell her, just disappear in thin air.
She thought that was best as not to upset Mother,
But Mother was still waiting for her daughter to tell her.
She knew something was wrong right away,
Because Rapunzel was still in clothes from yesterday.
Rapunzel said: "You know what? Oh never mind.
I haven't had much sleep, so my head's falling behind."
"What's been causing bad sleep, honey?"
"Nothing", she lied, "the morning's just too sunny.
I have a headache now. I'll go to bed."
She went up the stairs while rubbing her head.
Rapunzel slept all day long
To avoid Mother, though she knew it was wrong.
She heard Mother going to sleep,
Snoring so loudly she could wake the grazing sheep.
At last, the prince showed up in the clearing,
Asking for a lift, but she had trouble hearing.
He climbed inside and she said to be quiet
For Mother would wake and start a riot.
Rapunzel couldn't stop looking at her visitor
And then he chose to hold her and kissed her.
"Come with me, dear, in the palace you'll stay."
"I can't just go and leave Mother, no way!
And anyway, how would we get down?
There are no stairs, if you caught me I'd break your crown."
"Lucky I thought of that on the way here.
Just come to the widow and trust me, my dear."
They walked to the window, where she stared in shock.
There were thousands of birds flying in a flock.
"We've trained them at the palace in Gardash!
They'll carry us down and won't let us crash."
Rapunzel finally agreed to go
But Mother was there, watching, and said "No."
"Mother!" she shouted and became teary-eyed.
"I have to go, not just stay here and hide!"
"I forbid you to leave, it's my house and my rules!
Don't let him fool you with a crown and fake jewels!"
"I assure you, good madam, that I am no fake
And your daughter's hand in marriage, I'll take.
"I love her and she loves me too,
So if you'll excuse us, it's time to leave you.
By the way, I'm sure you haven't told her,
But you'll go to prison for your crimes, you be sure!"
"Whatever do you mean, my handsome prince?"
"Your "Mother" stole you from the kingdom Dorbince.
You are a princess, whom "Mother" has used
To get back at the King and Queen. They were so confused.
The month after your birthday,
You were taken far away.
You were lost, never meant to be found,
But I'll bring you back, safe and sound.
As it turns out, Mother's the one
I was searching for. She was on the run.
That's how I came upon your tower-
Searching for her at the very same hour.
Mother is a kidnapper, a thief!
I'm sorry for all she's caused, all the grief."
Rapunzel just stared at her mother, speachless.
How could this person be so ruthless?!
The person she trusted, the one she grew up with
Had taken her away from her parents. Was it a myth?
She looked in the eyes of the woman standing there
Who bathed her and changed her and combed her long hair.
She saw no compassion, none whatsoever.
She believed the prince altogether.
"I'm sorry, what's-your-name, but you've never been my mother.
And now I must leave to go and meet the other.
"You've kept me in this tower for far too long
And now it's time for me to leave, so I will be strong.
Even though I've grown to love you, you can't erase what has been done.
I will forgive you and love you and miss you, but that was wrong and can't be undone.
I have to go now, I'll give one last hug,
But there's no easy way out of the hole that you've dug.
There's not much more to tell you, Mother,
But good luck finding goodness and maybe even a lover.
I will now leave this tower for good,
So farewell, dear Mother." she said and she stood.
Rapunzel used her hair so divine
To let the prince glide down in a line.
Once he was on the floor, he said "Jump!"
She trusted him, so she swallowed the lump.
Mother watched as she jumped through the window,
Enjoying every moment. Then she waived from below.
The prince helped the princess sit on the horse.
He sat right behind her and gave a kick of small force.
"To Dorbince, good steed!" the prince proclaimed.
"We must get you to the castle at once to be reclaimed!
Your people will love you almost as much
As I do, fair Rapunzel, I know this much."
They rode into Dorbince, the people all staring.
"It's the lost princess!" "She looks so caring!"
The horse reached the castle, finally, at last.
Rapunzel said "Oh my! That was fast!"
The prince led her in to reunite the family
She was very nervous, quite understandably.
The guards let them in and alerted the premiers,
For whom the kingdom always cheers.
Rapunzel was nervous as can be.
She watched her parents walk in gleefully.
She couldn't help but grin right back.
She thought she might have a heart attack!
Anyone with eyes could see
She looked just like her mother, beautiful as can be
With hair so yellow it looked like gold
And rosy cheeks and a spirit so bold.
Rapunzel had her father's eyes,
Deep and caring, the color of skies.
They stood there and stared until they couldn't anymore.
The family all hugged and was reunited once more.
Rapunzel's mother saw the prince standing there,
Looking around and perfecting his hair.
She grabbed his hand and he joined in the hug.
The moment was perfect, and he was feeling the love.
Rapunzel's father made a joke
About how much she'd be liked by the townsfolk;
That they would party for one whole year
And that they would cheer and cheer and cheer.
The castle filled with tons of laughter
And they all lived happily ever after.
Now to Power Poetry, this I will send,
Because, sadly, this is THE END.
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