Tower Stairs

The girl who climbs

the spiral stairs

is innocence, only

fifteen years.

Young, for adult worries.

Old, for a child's fears.

And the stair is tall above her.

Her mother, queen,

the matron beauty,

loves the girl,

her only duty.

Sighs and dreams,

a sleeping beauty.

As the stair trails ever upward.

The ancient crone,
worn, gray haired,
was always fated,
has always cared.
Spinning, waiting,
spider's lair.
A step upon the winding stair.

The sweet princess

now doth dare.

With but one prick,

blood is bared.

So she lies, forever young,

‘til one hundred years is gone.

Imprisoned in the lonely tower,

atop the spiral stair.

Corners

I’ve never been the type

to wear my heart on my sleeve.

I sit in the corner

and watch

to learn

about what you are.

I’ve never been one

who didn’t know when to leave.

I turn my mind another way

and go.

Just walk

to different thoughts.

I’ve always been the type

to get lost in my daydreams.

I live inside my mind

where visions

destroy

the memory of your face.

I’ve never been the type

to vocalize my screams.

Silence seems the safest course.

I grit

my teeth.

My smile is a grimace.

Wild Ones

Where do the wild ones run, child?

Where do the wild things live?

Do trolls still hide under bridges,

waiting for the toll you must give?

Will the leprechaun grant you three wishes

if his pot of gold you find?

Do fairies dance in woodland mists,

leaving their changelings behind?

Does a unicorn live in your backyard, child?

Does a dragon sleep in the sky?

Will the bogey who lives in your closet

come and get you if you lie?

Do monsters live in the basement?

Do witches sail in a sieve?

Where do the wild ones run, child?

Where do the wild things live?