Once: or The Bridegroom's Homecoming

The woods are a Sleeping Beauty

Scarce by mortal eye divined

Created with the conceit of unique grace

Winsome charm framed by sinisterly dark canopy

Encircled with coppered leaves echoing bloodier shades

Low untethered clouds hover at the height

of blackened windows in stone parapet

Rising protectively over fields ever vibrant in summer lush

In the valley beyond the piercing thicket,

When the Prince heard of such singular beauties,

His young heart was set afire

“I cannot be happy unless I am near her”

To gaze upon all perfection imaginable

For none else saw the Sleeping Beauty but

“The sun by day, the moon by night, and the eyes of the stars”

Against the wishes of the court –

for a young and amorous prince is always valiant –

he made a solemn vow of unrest

A holy pilgrimage begun

For what is holier than love?

A hero’s journey commenced

For who is more heroic than a lover?

Horse and rider flew with fierce passion

Down a by-way through the winding bushes and ancient pines

Over bridges with water swiftly flowing

Only to find clear path turned to thorn and bog

Hopelessly bemired, the mare was lost and

Weary of seeking way

He settled under a stately oak

Heartbeat fast and weeping bitter tears of absence

His purpose did falter and he soon slumbered

Committing the sin most dire – of breaking oath

No matter how impetuously promised

When he awoke, a great thirst came upon him

He lapped greedily from charmed pond

As the poison of forgetfulness took hold

The speech of birds above – servants of the wood

“Forsaken! Forsaken!”

“Remember, Dear Prince! Remember!” they beseeched

But though his head ached with effort, he could not

He wandered, certain to die

And so the Sleeping Beauty mourned

The forest turned in on itself

As winter’s first breath left frost

Now the Queen Mother,

from lineage of old sorcery,

(not all witches are bad, sweet one)

blessed with second sight

Found the wretched state of her child

Fairies’ aid was sought, then secured and rendered

Feet bloodied, fine clothes turned rags

The restless Prince came upon a small casket

Diamond and rubies inlaid

“For fairies are not long in doing their business”

Within rested a cake of enchanted herb

Quickly consumed with a fervor

Particular to the starving

Scales fell from his sight

Mind renewed

Desire recalled

Visions of towers in a great, thick wood

and nearby cottage where he’d need no key

A realm of latent magic

His ardor moved with greater speed

Than even boots of seven leagues

Birds soared above in guidance

“Almost! Almost!”

The swift beats of wing in time with each footfall

Until the last jagged thorns were breached

And the Awakened Beauty lay before

Cheeks of carnation, lips of coral

Raiments of spun sugar and glass

Could scarce compare

He ran to the bosom of his love

To be welcomed warmly in the embrace

Of the storied, of the ageless, of home and of

Happily Ever After