HAPPILY EVER AFTER

My touch turned your flesh to gold, I traded you to the beast for a stolen thing. I turned my back while your life unwound, seized you and carried you to the darkness underground where at last you learned to sing.

I took all the beauty you could find. I gave you everything you need. I made you sleep, I made you bleed. You shattered my mirror. There are no cobwebs in the sky. A path of crumbs will never lead you home.

I split open the wolf, found your shoe and broke the wall. I gazed at you through greening leaves. For you I cut the heart from the doe. I went down in the deep brown water, to bring back your golden ball.

My tree bears silver apples. My baby patters in piles of golden straw. I carried the fire-filled skull. I hung alone above the abyss. My castle is open and filled with light. I made a way to the center of the night.