Once upon a time

A girl loved a boy.

A bewitching boy.

A boy she had never met

A boy she only knew from afar

But a boy she loved nonetheless.

 

One day the girl got a message

A message from the boy.

She cried and shook

And danced and sang

As butterflies tried to escape her body

But she kept them inside

And saved them for him.

 

The girl met the boy

The boy she loved from afar.

He bought her beautiful things

Shiny tokens of love

He showered her with tenderness

And she gave him her butterflies.

 

A girl loved a boy.

A boy loved a girl.

At least, that’s what he told her.

 

 

Once upon a time

A girl loved a man.

A monstrous man.

A man she feared

A man she could not recognize

But a man she loved nonetheless.

 

One day the girl got a bruise

A bruise from the man.

She sobbed and hurt

And crumpled and broke

As screams tried to rip their way out of her throat

But she kept them inside

And saved her own life.

 

The girl forgave the man

The man who she feared.

He bought her forgiveness

With apologies and empty promises

He smothered her with tender words

And she gave him her life.

 

A girl loved a man.

A man loved a girl.

 

no

 

a

man

hurt

a

girl

who

loved

a

boy

 

 

Once upon a time

A woman loved a boy.

A beautiful bubbly blissful bouncy baby boy.

A boy she cherished

A boy she knew and recognized and birthed

But a boy in danger nonetheless.

 

One day the boy was crying

Crying because of the man.

The woman swelled and bled

And breathed and fled

As doubts wrestled for control of her mind

But she kept them inside

Deep down inside

And saved the boy’s life.

 

The woman left the man

The man who made the boy cry.

She fought free of his cruel persuasions

With strength as her weapon and love as her shield

The boy gave her a purpose

And she took back her life.

 

A mother loved a son

A son loved a mother

And nobody loved a man