She removes the glass slippers for the last time,
smashes them against the bedpost,
tells him she won’t wear them anymore.  

In the morning all her shoes are gone.
The wood floors have been replaced
with a thin pane of glass.  

She sends for the mermaid,
asks her aquatic friend
to teach her to walk on glass.  

The mute mermaid signs a warning:
there is no turning back, but you learn
to step into the pain.  

She lowers her foot, bites
her tongue, begins to waltz in 3/4 time
as red rises and breaks.

back to top

send comments to info@poetrybay.com

first electronic copyright 2000 poetrybay. 
all rights revert to author