Glass Slipper

There was a time where I didn't know
and my ignorance was a cozy cocoon
a soft,bright feather bed of contentment,

so anxious was I to break through those
walls, foolishly believing there was
something astounding...something magical

about being my own mistress,
and for a time I was, and lived
a sleek and silken life until

the constant of change blew in
on the cold breath of reality
and crept up my spine and I knew

that the warmth of youth
had made me cocksure,
an omnipotent lass of promise

blessed with a future filled
with peacock feathered hues
until the plumage was plucked

and fate kissed me long and hard
leaving my parted lips blue
and my lashes laced in frost.

Life had finally unmasked herself
at the ball and my glass slipper
suddenly pinched my toes blistering my innocence.

Reviews

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Ouch! This is so damned good!

First, I love the lack of punctuation that lent an air of one long stream of consciousness about the surety of youth throughout that finally leads to the frost on your lashes. The last stanza being a final thought of its own ... life has left you all alone.

I can relate to this poem. I have chosen to be alone. The opportunites have been there - three engagements, which I've broken, men who have loved me to pieces. Sadly, as my heart belonged to another; and I was unable to settle for anything less, I denied myself anything more. I know full well - now at 44 - that chances are I will remain alone. It never bothered me earlier. Now that I'm on the cusp of middle age; and I can look in the mirror and see myself getting older, I know that the chances for love are fading by the day.

All that love has brought me is a single reflection in the mirror.

Your words sting with truth.

[icelandicblue]

Ah the choices we make...we don't even realize the final effects until much later. I am touched by what you have shared in your review, thank you for that. Life, I have learned, does not turn out the way we planned- we have no choice but to make the best of it but it does not lessen the sting. Thank you too for commenting on the lack of punctuation which is usually not my style and I am pleased that you thought it worked. As always, I look forward to your poetry and to your thoughts.

[TL Boehm]

WOW those last two verses are a punch to the gut! Fate is a damnable partner.

[icelandicblue]

It sure is, thanks a lot Tammy.

[NeiL ArandA]

Hmmm I think I am in the presence of a very good novelist with lines and contents condensed in a poetic or free verse way... Icelandicblue...why you write so beautiful ? There are symphony in every line.

[icelandicblue]

I am honored by such praise. Thank you.

[Vian]

Beautiful! That was an absolute gem of a poem! A fairy tale but so clearly not a fairy tale. I adore this imagery. 'Fate kissed me long and hard' Beautiful!

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Vian for your kinds words. ; )

[Muse]

A favorite

and fate kissed me long and hard
leaving my parted lips blue
and my lashes laced in frost.

I suddenly find myself jealous...wishing those words bled from my pen "not yours" I just adore this poem. Maybe it's because you deliver the painful truth in a candy-coated fairy tale.

[icelandicblue]

Muse! How wonderful to see you. Thank you I take your compliment humbly because I am a huge fan of your work and your talent. Thank you again, I am pleased you liked this one.

[Ed Hart]

well yes, this is superb...but i can tell you there are tales told the other way, that ignorance can be a catastrophic devastation (as far as a life goes) and that coming to clarity can be a time filled with peacock feather hues, a time for all things important, and to forgive the world...a superb poet is never far from her poem

[icelandicblue]

Thank you and you are right ignorance can be dangerous but innocence is something we lose as we grow. Thanks so much for your thoughts and for reading.

[Sharon L.H. Kelly]

Wow, this piece packed a punch. Stinging, like an arrow through the broken heart. Kudos!

[icelandicblue]

Thanks, innocence is only a temporary stat unfortunately. Thanks for the read Sharon. ; )

[writing mojo]

WOW! what a great ending to your un-fairy tailed presence of words. This poem is very thought provoking and leaves the senses stun by your aspiring point within the perks of seeing this reality for what it's really worth ....great piece

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much for reading and for your very enthusiastic review. I appreciate it.

[Dominic Shaya]

Goood God almighty!
this is great, you painted a vivid picture here, i hope oneday i will be able to do that.amazing

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much for all that enthusiasm! Nice to meet you.

[Dominic Shaya]

pleasure is all mine

[Blue Ivory]

This is actually something I'm going through right now, and most of my work is based on this very theme. So I find your poem appealing. From the two poems of yours I have read so far, I can see that your writing works well with my perception and I can find them enjoyable. I look forward to reading more of your work. :)

[icelandicblue]

Thank you and I am happy that you can connect to the poems. I will be sure to check out your work as well and thanks again.

[kublakhan27]

This strikes a deeper chord with me than I can put into words. It reminds me of realizing when I got older that the issues that clung to me in school were much more than mere teenage angst. It also reminds me of other chapters of my life but I don't want to bombard you with them here. What I will say is that there was something in every stanza that I could relate to after the genders are switched. I think the glass slipper analogy that closes it out is perfect. Love this one.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much. The loss of our innocence is pretty universal and frankly finding out there was no Santa was the first push on the long slide down. Thanks so much for your detailed and honest comments.