An Un-Fairytale

the prince, it seems, has vanquished me --

made not a bride out of this flesh, but

a bested opponent -- foot to chest victory --

 

in his smiling irises I can almost see the reflection

            of his white steed tethered

            to an ancient Oak,

waiting to carry home the conquering hero

 

            the realization that I made it easy

is a dagger sharper than any sword, more biting

than the absence of words that rattle as chains do

                        around bruised appendages

 

            I am barren without his voice --

a seedpod emptied of its pearls and left to wither

beneath the relentless baking of the high-noon sun

 

and he is in his clapboard castle, some fifty miles away,

            carving notches into leather --

each slash signifying another distressed damsel

wilting in the remembrance of his poet's hands

 

we have become the epic -- verse upon sacred verse 

of welted memories, awake within the etchings and cracks

            of his exquisite armor

 

Reviews

[B-poet]

This prince has very poor taste in princesses if he's passing up such a loving & wonderful bride. It's a sad Un-Fairytale unfortunately within the medieval kingdom. Great work Girl Friday. A riveting read. :)

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, my friend... Obviously, this was personal, but it was also a bit of social commentary, because I think this happens all too often.

[B-poet]

Yeah, you're right 100%. It's the real loving gentleman who're lossing out most of the time though. Chivalry is not attractive these days for some reason. Great point you've made here though. :)

[Dana Alsamsam]

i love the regal and medieval feeling you gave this piece. the heart break was tangible and incredibly well portrayed. i love the images that you've put forth with this seemingly heroic hands melting each damsel in distress, and then the woman realizing that maybe she was just one of the many others. i admire your ability to convey a relatable theme while also using a setting that is far away from us- you make me feel like i too am a damsel sitting in a tower somewhere... these lines were my favorites:

" the realization that I made it easy
is a dagger sharper than any sword, more biting
than the absence of words that rattle as chains do
around bruised appendages"

lovely.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, Dana... I think that we all encounter these "types" in our adventures through life; those who would rather "distress a damsel" than save a "damsel in distress". We just need to figure out how to tell the difference :)

[Dana Alsamsam]

here's to hoping we can distinguish!

[MsJewel]

The princess deserves much better than this prince, who is no prince at all " in his clapboard castle, carving notches into leather"- Wonderful imagery throughout and as always a pleasure to read. :) Julie

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Julie :)

[kublakhan27]

I liked Rebecca's review best...this princess deserves better...wonderful work as always.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, my friend! As always, your words warm my heart.

[kublakhan27]

Always a pleasure my friend :)

[Rebecca Buller]

Behold, dear princess, for your prince is nothing more than a skirt-chasing fool with a dreadful hero complex who's in dire need of therapy. Reality is such a kick in the teeth, our poor little Cinderella. Very well done, GF!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Yes it is, Rebecca! Your review might be more clever than my poem...thank you so much! :)

[Rebecca Buller]

You're very welcome:-)

[DJ]

This is beautifully written Sarah! I loved it. A Prince who really is no Prince at all for a Prince would never treat a lady like that nor treat them so badly. What you have described is an issue in today's society... but your words and the emotion in this is incredible. You have a gift for imagery my friend. Your works are always a delight to read.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, my friend...I'm glad you saw what you did in this little piece of personal/social commentary.

[DJ]

I'm sorry that this applies to you Sarah, I wish you all the best.

[Tom]

No Prince charming or knight in shining armor for the deceived Princess to swoon over, but rather lothario of the lowest kind !

Her broken-heart was almost palpable for the reader, so well are the words crafted together ! Splendid!!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Tom...you made me smile with your review!

[Rita L. Sev]

A prince who is no prince at all... and the broken-hearted princess who loved too deeply. A tragic tale, much more real than the fairy tales we read to our little girls. Superb piece, Sarah.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, Rita...I often wonder about the tales I read as a child; they all had happy endings, so I always expected that was what life was like for a little girl. I think this version is probably more accurate most of the time; until of course that one worthy prince does arrive.

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

Wow... that was truly poetic. The tale of a heart breaker, done masterfully! You never cease to amaze.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

You are very kind...thank you so much!

[Souladareatease]

Such longing-truly a sigh Dear Friday-You will find a better Knight eh:) ?
I hope Your emptiness doesn't last too long--You Pen tears too well...and i'm climbing out of depression-stop it -hehehehe--Truly Beautiful Write!!!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

haha...this was meant to be satirically funny in a way...I guess my pen inffuses too much sorrow sometimes. Thank you as always, my friend!

[Souladareatease]

I see the humor-it wasn't lost :) I was reading this with the incomplete self about to fall over from exhaustion hehe-it read as sarcasm mixed with mirth ...so it comes of as hidden depth meaning :) no fault of Your fine Pen-just how my mind swirls ;)