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Cinderella Retold

Poking cinders with my tacky broom,
I fling them round our living-room,
improvise hip-hop on wintry tiles.
I never thought I’d dance barefoot
before my foretold trial.
Fairy God-Mom glides in with her wand.
- You’ll be a princess:
dainty feet and sexy dress,
the fabled combo, carriage and all.
Off to the ball and twirl till dawn!
Oops… till midnight, my girl.
-My dear, remember the tale:
When clocks strike twelve
spells wane, one bids farewell…
And she fades into the brickwork.

In my whalebone bodice
I’m beautiful but airless.
Steering me deftly through the hum,
in silk stockings and fancy footwear,
the Prince’s hand fondles my bum.
I balk at the hackneyed drill
and skip back as the fatal hand
strikes midnight in that dastard land.
There I stand, defiant and tall,
barefoot in the majestic hall,
wearing Indian cotton dress
emphasizing hips and tits,
left arm boasting cobra tattoo.
Royals cringe, but horror makes me bolder;
perhaps I’m slightly unhinged?

Mounted on a black stallion,
the Prince visits our abode, servants
bearing crystal slipper on cushion.
The slipper, you’ll be dismayed,
fits my eldest sister!
My feet (size 12) tend to blister
and I have dirty toenails.
The Prince, infatuated wimp
in state of shock, looks frail.
Taking stock of my situation,
I grab my stuff, demand
some sort of indemnity,
then dash out in fine elation.
Mounting the Prince’s steed,
I gallop off down the track,
hair flying in the breeze
...and never look back.

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Comments

Dear Teddy, thanks for the kudos, I don't really deserve them. I hadn't thought of it as a feminist poem, but now that you poin it out, I agree!
Yes, I wish I had been brave enough to run off from my first husband. But the times were very "macho" in Argentina...
I'm glad you enjoyed it, all the best, Gracy

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"My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies; fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die, I can fly, my friends.” – Freddie Mercury

author comment

Dear Jerry, sorry, I'm not in the know about shoe sizes in the Usa. I think these are Brit ones.
So Teddy doesn't favour your tales? I don't believe you, she's in awe of you. I'm off to read some of your right now...oh dear, somebody's knocking at the door.
Bye for now, Gracy

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"My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies; fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die, I can fly, my friends.” – Freddie Mercury

author comment

all the way through this! Sounds like a trip to the castle on magic mushrooms! Surprising, coming from you, but most welcome! Still laughing. ~ Geez.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

Hi Geez, glad you had a good laugh. Surprised it came from me? Oh well, I got tired of gloomy stuff. Time to change my style, if at all possible.
All the best, Gracy

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"My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies; fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die, I can fly, my friends.” – Freddie Mercury

author comment

Hi Thalassa, glad you enjoy it. I don't know what happens next. This came out of the blue...So I'll try to imagine where Cinders goes next. Perhaps it'll come to me in a dream. Gracy

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"My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies; fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die, I can fly, my friends.” – Freddie Mercury

author comment
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