The Hollow Slipper

November is the coolest month, bringing

Chilling winds and gentle frosts that

Mingle with the dying lilacs in the cold earth.

A mother’s grave long elapsed, replaced

With the cruelty of a bloodless family.

Stepmother surprised them, crushing

Young Cinderella’s hope and

Silencing her father into grim submission.

And in spite of this torment,

Positive and kind she stayed.

When we were children, during the winter

the evil stepsisters took me out on the sled

And I was frightened. But they pushed me.

Alone in the mountains, against my will

They make me wear rags and force

Me to sweep ashes and wash their robes.

The Prince galloped into town, clutching

Invitations for every young woman to a ball grandiose.

Taunted by her sisters, Cinderella

Remained and wept in despair.

The heat of the night,

Glittering and colored, shrouded the fortunate citizens,

Decorated with jewels and silk,

The air reeking of synthetic perfumes.

From the dusty hearth, rose a fairy godmother,

“What is that sound darling?”

the prince’s ball.

“Why are you still here? Where is your gown? Where are your shoes?”

the step sisters have them.

O O O O  Bibbidy-bopbbidy-boo

A dazzling gown took the place of

Her filthy rags. Slippers of glass

Appeared with a pumpkin carriage,

Mousy footmen and a reptilian driver.

“Adieu goddaughter! Return before midnight!”

aurevoir

At the violet hour, she departed,

Attracting the eye of stunned suitors and jealous ladies.

But humble she remained,

Her painted face unrecognizable to her sisters,

Danced the night away.

Allure and charm like no other

Lady in the ballroom, the prince begged for a dance.

Newfound love at first sight, like sudden clarity

Evolving from thick fog.

A golden clock in the center of the room tolled, bells booming.

HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME

“Where are you going? It’s only midnight!”

I have to leave

Leave I have to leave

No time left I must

HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME

She left the palace a simple country girl, abandoning a shoe on the main steps.

Running alone

Uneven step

Empty night filled

With the call of the nightingale.

Jug jug jug jug jug jug jug

Jug jug jug.

From palace to prison she moved,

Returning to scathing remarks.

Haunted by his love’s swift departure,

Consumed by the glass slipper,

No relief. No promise.

From door to door of

Every lady’s house

Knock knock knock knock knock

With no success.

At Cinderella’s house the twins pushed and

Shoved to try it on,

Grotesquely large toes

Calloused heels

The bells tolled.

Stepping down from the attic,

Young Cinderella stepped forth.

“ Hello my prince”

“Does this belong to you?’

A perfect fit, an extension of her foot.

An autumn wedding

Leaves decaying, littering

The streets with their frail shells.

Away away away into the sunset.

This is the way the world ends,

This is the way the world ends,

This is the way the world ends,

Not with a bang, but with a happily ever after.