Grim

(surely, surely, surely!)

This part must be a summary–

no reader forced to bear another scene:

the hunger

the breadcrumbs

the belly of the wolf

the shoes of glass

the tower

the key (so many keys!)

the axe

the stumps, (both hands & feet)

the devil

the worthless father

the no-use dead mother

the beauty that only endangers

the secrets, the dark, the cursed candle wax–

I am looking for a light

–the trees lean black in moon shadow–

I am looking for some comfort

–the witch answers the door–

I am losing faith in lovers

& in my own endurance

–Surely, Surely, Surely!–

If I can use the right word

speak the true, strange name

may I be done, please?

May I be excused?

Surely

no one craves a tale

of this grim telling.

Surely I cannot be

so poor

so sad

so hopeful

so foolishly naive

Forever.

I wait & wait,

I walk & walk;

Midnight does not come.

Rose Arrowsmith, 2025