once upon a time.

i'm not necessarily this militant. but, really, re-read them sometime. you'll see.

When we’re young ... the fairytales begin.
Snow white is breaking and entering.
Why?
To clean up the mess of seven tiny men with clearly identified personality flaws.
She collapses from taking just one more bite,
right to her hips, one more health nut ... done.
Could there be anything more wrong?
Seven freaky little men watching on ...
as prince charming strode up and kissed her?
Did anyone bother to consult her living will ... before allowing the prince to slip her his ...
magic pill?!
Sleeping beauty suffered the same fate ...
fast asleep until prince charming (cuz he gets around and she can’t save herself)
fought the vicious beast to win the chance
to kiss the fair sleeping maiden, with ...
What? No consent?!
Welcome to marriage girls.
Welcome to what it’s like, wedded bliss ...
when the mirrors don’t approve ...
you are, at best, a witch.
The beast gets to enjoy the pretty girl,
throughout the entire 2-hour scene.
But she?
Is forced to fall in love with the uncivilized, rage-prone ...
Beast.
See ladies? They get handsomer ...
Eventually.        
Yea right.
A little advice:
Smash the mirror,
stroll past the unkempt,
rodent-infested hut.
Let your step-sisters attend the ball.
Glass slippers will kill your posture
and happily ever after will probably include mucking out a stall.
There’s no harm in these childhood tales,
they are a piece of our history,
classic stories that ought to be retold ...
With all the disclaimers and the clear cut presence of mind
to be sure that your daughter knows full well,
from the time that she is two-feet high,
no life that was ever worth living began with the words,
“once upon a time”

Reviews

[Collette]

With all the disclaimers and the clear cut presence of mind
to be sure that your daughter knows full well,
from the time that she is two-feet high,
no life that was ever worth living began with the words,
"once upon a time"


RIGHT ON! I don't feel as though there is anything you could change about this piece to make it better. It's passionate, pissed, and in your face. (the way I like it.) You bring up so many valid points, and I love the way you wove fairy tale dreams into horrid realities. The daughters of tomorrow need to wake up, dust off their shoes, and quit waiting on prince charming. I dig it, for sure.

[Kaylor Mason]

I completely agree! I LOVE this! I've always thought daily life was just one disillusionment after another. This is so cool

[Miss Coral]

LOVED this. I've always had problems with fairytales, haha. The tone was perfect.. rhythm smooth.. ideas clear and interesting. Great write. :)

[Wildecat]

I've read a lot of fairy tales and this one here is fantastic. I had to smile as I read this wonderful poem. Well done.

[Brianna Brie]

I like what you have to say here. Away with the Cinderella Syndrome. Clever subject to write upon.

[Colleen C Dunphy]

i love love love love love this... we should all rewrite our own fairy tales... oh I smell a contest...

[PianoandPage]

fairy tales are fucked up. lol.

this is a great write. made me laugh. you bring up a lot of interesting perspective to classic stories. i love the last line most of all.

fairy tales are unrealistic. i think most people grow up really expecting to find prince charming. i seriously doubt he exists...

thanks for sharing!

[Jared Kardos]

Gotta love fairy tales--scary stories told to children in the dark ages to scare them into good behavior is now being used for little girls to "want" to inspire to be. An...interesting progression, wouldn't you say?

I espicially liked the last two lines:

"no life that was ever worth living began with the words,
'once upon a time'"

[Marie]

nice write

[Stephen Ownby]

This asks a question... Is innocence or horror the true state of humanity? I say it's a little of both.