Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time

a princess trapped in a tower

scrubbed floors and stairs and window panes

and dreamed every day of

release             and

escape                          and

once—

she hardly dared to think—

of freedom.

 

Once upon a time

a prince trapped in a stone castle

smiled and waved, put on display

for people who didn’t know didn’t care didn’t—

but he shouldn’t think

such thoughts

of his people.

 

Out the tower window gazed the witch,

her mask lowered just this once.

Her eyes beheld her princely son

while behind her toiled

the princess drudge.

 

It was child’s play to get revenge,

and child’s play to keep it.

But still that gaping hole did gasp

and sputter and scream

inside her heart

and still her eyes, when closed, did drown

her mind with images of pain.

 

When at last the prince did ride

upon his stallion, brilliant white,

the witch did look down with pride—

as he scaled the tower,

as he struggled,

thrashing,

as he fell into her trap.

 

Victory!

Sweet victory was hers!

But enjoy it the witch could not.

The prince’s sword pierced her side.

 

And the witch dropped

down

             down

                             down

and the princess fell to her knees

and the sword fell from her hands

and the prince gazed

up

upon his love

and they lived happily

ever after.

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