Crystal towers dance,
Circling and fading
In the pond’s glowing reflection.
Moonlight keeps me awake
With breaths deep with boiling blood.
Never has the sky been as lonely
As I in that fearsome castle
Revealing monsters of fur and claw
Staring me down with glowing golden eyes.
I run outside and cry my tears into
That flickering, unreliable water
Telling me I’m alone,
My kind is not welcome here,
No matter my gown or pretty smile.
I’m no warrior among the trees.
I cannot pass that twisted gate
With angry branches reaching
Grabbing my hair
Tearing at my silk dress
Never allowing me to return
To that safe and tender realm
I once belonged to long ago.
My memories give me hope
I may return to a human life
With dinners served on plates
Forks and knives and rooms with books.
Yet it’s all a flailing fantasy,
And I howl at the moon
Horrified, shamed.
The fur begins to grow
I howl even more, in dismay,
Denying the day I will surrender
And no longer be alone.
