Harriot West

Once Upon a Time

My life was ruined by the fairy tales I devoured as a child. Under our cherry tree. With a flashlight beneath my comforter. Nestled in the bay window while snow blanketed the streets.

And why was my life ruined? Because mother wouldn’t let me grow my hair as long as Rapunzel’s. Because Randy Thorne never turned into Prince Charming. Because I couldn’t conjure fairies from the fireflies in Tatie’s garden. Because birds really do eat breadcrumbs. 

And because sometimes, no matter how hard you wish, there’s no easy way to find your way home.

good night sweet prince
good bye sweet prince
what fine lines lie
between happily
(n)ever after

---

About the Author

Harriot West lives in Eugene, Oregon, and rarely manages to write a prose poem that feels complete without adding at least one haiku.