Magpie Tales #99 & - "Once Upon a Time"

image:  Lee Friedlander

The Friday Flash 55 is at the bottom of this post (a shorted version of the following poem)


Once Upon a Time

With silkened fingers
daintily held,
I dance with the King,
inappropriately
if not for my crinoline.

I smile beguilingly
entertain with flirtations,
giggles, adoring eyes.

Graced with long white gloves
and satin gowns resplendent,
in his arms enchanting,
beautiful, indulged am I

as long as I am not difficult.

In a vision glamorized
I am trapped,
where history remains paused
its page never turned
from the charm and lavishness
of "Once Upon a Time".

Look more closely
and you will see:

A king's possessive grip
holds my dainty hand,
feigned smile and flirtations forced,
eyes forbidden intelligence.

I pray this a waltzing dream
a nightmare I'll wake from soon,
or plead I will:

"Off with my HEAD!"

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, January 10, 2012

* * * * *

This is for Magpie Tales #99 .  The challenging photo prompt is at the top of the page.  I do like "The King and I" as it isn't the typical love story.  This was written not with Anna in mind, but with one of his wives in mind.   I just can't imagine!

I have also linked this with the wonderful "In the Garden with Imaginary Toads - Open Link Monday"

AND "dVerse Open Link Night"

I even shortened this (AH - it's killing me :) to 55 words for "Mr. Know-it-All's Friday Flash 55" (A story in 55 words, no more, no less!)

Once Upon a Time (In 55 Words)

Long white gloves,

satin gowns resplendent,

I dance with a King

smile beguilingly.

Within his arms indulged

as long as I'm "Not difficult".

A vision glamorized

trapped within the pages of 

"Once Upon a Time".

Look closer:

Possessive grip,

flirtations feigned,

intelligence hidden.

This waltzing nightmare

I pray awake!

or plead:

"Off with my HEAD!"

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, January 10, 2012

 Mid 19th century satirical fashion cartoon depicting the ridiculously oversized crinoline.