Cinderella stares at the New York skyline,

brown skin washed in sunset hues.

Hidden in the clouds is a freedom pact

separated by the apartment window she gazes through.

 

She is kept in a barren room without a dollar to her name

No fairy godmothers from above

Only rats and pigeons that infest her walls

Choose to show her any form of love

 

She dreams of a life free from torment,

of a destiny where the world knows her name.

She wants a life where her suffering ends

where true love might prevail once again.

 

Her dreams are dragged down by the shackles

of a step-family in a warped state of mind.

They say "Cindy kill your dreams, rip them at the seams.

To our poverty we have subscribed."

 

They said "This poisoned existence is a life we've always known.

In our inequities, there lies no redemption.

Escape is a lie whispered in the wind.

Our reality is our own damnation."

 

They abused her heart over and over

Their wickedness twisting her nature

Still, no matter what, she fought and fought,

Refusing for them to have power over her.

 

Cinderella swore she would would be rescued, that a prince would come,

that she would finally see the light of day

But, sadly, no matter how she cleaned, prayed, and sang

In the end, no one came.