It was rather a shock,
that first realization that the rice thrown for good luck
could become so much grist for the mill;
that life would not all be sunshine and roses
and petal-strewn paths in the shade,
but hard labour under gruelling taskmasters called Self and Ego.
Who invited these to the party?
Shock gave way to compromise,
lowered expectations,
a regular everyday Ordinary
that slunk around the house and infected you both
with its insipid stagger.
No Fairy Tale, this –
the Prince’s fine suit has turned to rags
in this land of perpetual midnight.
The Princess has packed away her ball-gown;
she has no need of it, for she has forgotten the steps,
and he doesn’t ask any more.
He shuffles to work
and performs his duties
with grim determination.
She busies herself in her career
and loses herself in motherhood’s frenzied tasks.
‘I promise’ – until Life is hard,
and Love is harder.
As Narrator of this tale,
I remind you –
you are still Royal Ones.
Pick up your pen and rewrite this Tale of Two Pities –
insert roses by the dozen,
heroes wearing your clothes,
and with a flourish, gift Stamina with flesh and bones.
Life is not about happy endings and ever after, after all –
it is laundry and hiccups,
storm clouds and backed up toilets,
bills and glints of joy in the fabric of the peasant.
Why look for magic
when it lives within your spirit?
Why wait for your knight in shining armour,
when he lies next to you in human skin?
This is your story –
it is never too late
for a re-write…
Meanwhile, Melody Muses... 
Yes, there is still romance …even with counters strewn with after teen snacks, grocery lists as long as Santa’s, and bathrooms covered with soggy towels. Living in the moment with my handsome hubby of 29 years! God is good… ~ Wendy
OH, how wonderful! You are nine years ahead of me – run with it! 🙂 (Love the Santa grocery list image) *giggle* 🙂
Oh WOW–I’m more than misty-eyed over this one. My fave part is: “glints of joy in the fabric of the peasant”. Wow, again.
Thank you so much Caddo for your continued encouragement. How refreshing and inspiring to share thoughts on poetry with a fellow poet!
Oh, you’ve made my day–truly!!
Wonderful, you’ve got it.
Thank you, Maria!
So much in here! I loved reading it over and over… well I have about three times now. 🙂
Wow – thanks, Angel. It always seems that the ones that are the most emotional to write are the ones that hit home with others… I always am amazed at the way you string your words together in such unusual ways – so I very much appreciate your comment!