Throw Off the Hood

My life is like a fairytale though probably
not the one now crossing your mind.
There were no evil stepsisters. We both
were orphans though bound by blood.

Our mother an evil witch threaded with
bits of Glinda from surviving her own
enslavement to the evil queen mother
who delighted in sacrificing me slowly.

There was a kindly king but love’s spell
kept him often in the dark. I carried the
key in my pocket but I feared using it
would unlock other unknown horrors.

My sister’s heart carried her as far as it
could. Her leaving appeared not to be
her choice but I believe it was. I was left
alone. A gift there was no way to refuse.

I chose to walk in sunlight and to sip from
the moon at night but I never left the woods
behind. Old choices not of my making forced
their gnarled roots to the surface to trip me.

I believed I was different. I still try to be but
some of my own choices reach like invading
vines to lock me in a prison deep inside myself.
My fingers fumble for the key in my pocket.

Cinse Bonino
2022