She Sleeps

Snow White crawled into
her glass coffin willingly
with a bouquet as offering to
the prince who can pry her
from the dreams which transmute
her little death into paradise.

Savior

sleeping beauties
only grow older
waiting for a prince
who never comes

Love Without an Expiration Date

The Enchantress
gave the Beast
the painting of a rose
which would never shed
a single petal

She said,
“Love does not keep
a schedule
nor does it hurry.”

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Fairy Tales

An old grain tower
Becomes Rapunzel’s prison
And a fictional rescue transforms into
An assurance that all girls become princesses
And all boys grow up to be gentlemen

True Love’s Kiss

If you are not mine
Then do not be his
Or I shall tear asunder
That chain which binds you.
He who speaks
In forked tongue
Honeyed entrapment
Foul and black —
If only I could have
Awakened you
To truth.
Alas, in lieu
Of an impotent kiss
There is only:
Bloodshed

Russian Fairy Tales by A.A.

Illustration by A. Alexeieff, Russian Fairy Tales, 1945

Etched drawings dabbed
yellow, blue, and red
Prose that speaks
jewel-toned and scarce
Treasure hoards faraway tales
For Pru, Kim, and Diana
On Christmas 1945

Notes: The photo above comes from an actual edition I bought as a gift.