I've been re-reading my well-worn copy of is The Poets' Grimm: 20th Century Poems from Grimm's Fairy Tales, edited by Jeanne Marie Beaumont & Claudia Carlson. I love this book because I'm particularly fond of poetry that reimagines fairy tales.
While reading through some of these poems I started thinking a bit about fairy tale poetry. We've actually written quite a bit about the stories and characters for stretches, but never really about some of the more memorable items, like the magic mirror, magic beans, a poisoned apple, red cape, golden ball, spinning wheel, and more.
So, let's write about a magical or fairy tale item, one of those things you can't imagine a story without. Please share a link to your poem or the poem itself in the comments.
Shoes
ReplyDelete1.
When Snow White’s stepmother came to the wedding feast
they made her dance in iron shoes that were red hot
till her feet were ashes, her life was ash. And what better fate
for a woman whose heart was poisoned like an apple?
2.
Once there was a princess of Romania who married
an enchanted pig. Then she betrayed her husband
by tying a thread on his foot when he came unseen
by night. She traveled far and far to find him,
wearing out three pairs of iron shoes and daring
the houses of the Moon, the Sun and the Wind.
At last she cut off her little finger to finish
a ladder of bones and win him back.
Witches, that fingerbone, the iron shoes—
what was a wife to do, but go and fetch the man
and bring him home? After, when she looked at him
by night, holding the candle high, neither
condemned the other, but only lay down
to breathe together with long, good peace.
3.
Twelve pairs of dancing shoes, the most beautiful
the royal cobbler had ever made, satins in pure reds
and blues and green, slippers bedecked with gold,
with emeralds and rubies. He bowed very low,
presenting them to the princesses, who were nearly
as pretty as the shoes, royal maidens like roses
in shining vases. That was the first time. But soon
the cobbler’s smiles turned to frowns. Later
(it must be confessed) he made the shoes less well.
Oh, they were still serviceable, but not as fancy.
He began using second-rate satin and glass
instead of gems. It’s just that is broke his heart
to see the shoes come back the very next day
in tatters, their jewels lost or hanging from threads.
If the king noticed, he never said a word.
4.
Then there were the glass slippers. Cinderella danced
in them, in fact she waltzed. They did not break,
being made of magic, but the day came when one of them
at least was filled with blood, first from a sister’s toes
and then from a sister’s heels. Did Cinderella wipe it out
with a handkerchief from her pocket, or maybe a dish rag?
Then slide it on to match it to its mate? And did he care
about the blood, or the glass, this nearsighted man
who finally recognized the girl when her shoes were on?
An absent-minded sort, but a good enough husband,
after all the business of the shoes was over.
I’ve heard that once they were married they used to waltz
in the garden. Always at midnight. And always barefoot.
—Kate Coombs, 2014,
all rights reserved
Wow. Who could follow that? Thanks for sharing those, Kate Coombs! Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, Kate, that's intense. That really drew me in. Here's mine:
ReplyDeleteBridge Troll
I’m crass. I’m cross.
Don’t sass me, kid.
You won’t pass me by
Like those billy goats did.
I’m stubborn. I’m stern.
Best turn yourself around,
Or you’ll learn a thing or two
When I put you underground.
I’m champ. I’m cheap.
And I keeps what I owns.
Now run away, kid,
Or I’ll gobble your bones!
© 2014 Steven Withrow, all rights reserved
Thanks, Rosi! Nice, Steven--such a distinct, strong personality your troll has!
ReplyDeleteDo you have Disenchantments, Tricia? I have it, but I confess I haven't read most of it yet. Also, have you seen this: http://www.littlebirdpublishinghouse.com/anthology-submissions.html I'm submitting a few poems I have on hand that were supposed to turn into a ya fairy tale collection, but haven't yet. My younger fairy tale collection never sold, and I lost the impetus:>(
ReplyDeleteKate. That was OUTSTANDING! Steven, I admire your scribbles so much brother.
ReplyDeleteTHE WORD OF EVIL
No matter what you’ve heard
Please don’t say that word
Those 15 letters of shame.
If that name is uttered?
Then you are to blame.
If you take the bet?
Welcome to regret.
Don’t lift up the veil
On this very grim tale
Keep quiet you will win
Over Rumpelstiltskin.
Oops.
(c) Charles Waters 2014 all rights reserved.
THE WORD OF EVIL
ReplyDeleteNo matter what you’ve heard
Please don’t say that word
Those 15 letters of shame.
If that name is uttered?
Then you are to blame.
If you take the bet?
Welcome to regret.
Don’t lift up the veil
On this very grim tale,
Keep quiet you will win
Over Rumpelstiltskin.
Oops.
(c) Charles Waters 2014 all rights reserved.