Post by Anna Stutler on Feb 15, 2011 23:16:59 GMT -5
Keep in mind, this was written based off of the original faerie tale, which is a great deal darker than Disney would like us to think
“A Letter of Explanation”
To my daughter
Or rather, the child I have raised
As my daughter:
I’m sure by now parts of your story
Have reached your ears
As your husband’s kingdom delights
In repeating the tale of his mysterious bride
And I feel I owe you some explanation
Lest my actions be forever poisoned against you
First, you must understand—
I was alone.
My husband dead too early
To leave me a child
And too sudden to give my neighbors peace
About his passing.
I found no support, no care behind
The high wall he had built
To protect me from those who were unnerved
By my strange, “fairy” blood.
For this, my isolation
They called me a witch
Sorceress
And as the years passed, I consented
So be it, I will be their witch
I did not take you from your parents
As punishment
Rather, I considered, what sort of life would you have
With a mother, whose greed caused her husband
To steal, from she whom he feared.
I saw how beautiful you would be
And she would have grown jealous
Of such a beauty
Desired child or no.
If only they had asked for the rapunzel she so craved,
I would have given all they asked, and perhaps our tale would have been different.
My tower was only meant to protect,
To hide, that which evil men would have taken
By force
I knew how cruel the world could be, to she born
Too pretty and fair.
And this prince
This handsome man who
Won your heart.
How long before his pretty words
Persuaded you to spread your legs to him
So that he might have his way with you?
For what greater power can a man have
But to soothe our fears with words
Silly child—it was never your voice
That drew him to your tower.
But your fair looks
And the fact that I had made you
Untouchable, forbidden fruit.
What could be more tempting to a man,
Than a woman who could neither pursue him
Should he not return.
Nor run should he grow harsh
Nor be won away by another, better man.
It is just as well that he was
Made blind by the gods--
Though I would have demanded
A higher price, for your innocence.
What was his answer, I wonder
When you pondered why your clothes had become too tight?
Do not forget, yes, I cast you out
Of your tower, which could protect you
No longer.
But did I not tend to you
In the wilderness?
As you lay gasping, from the pain
Of birthing his children
I did not leave you, or your twins
For dead.
And it was by my magic, that his eyes
Were restored, when your tears fell upon them.
For I had seen him humbled, and knew myself
To be ailing.
How quickly this part of the story is forgotten By those who love to repeat it.
I tell you this, lest you forget
I loved you, child
My fair Rapunzel.
“A Letter of Explanation”
To my daughter
Or rather, the child I have raised
As my daughter:
I’m sure by now parts of your story
Have reached your ears
As your husband’s kingdom delights
In repeating the tale of his mysterious bride
And I feel I owe you some explanation
Lest my actions be forever poisoned against you
First, you must understand—
I was alone.
My husband dead too early
To leave me a child
And too sudden to give my neighbors peace
About his passing.
I found no support, no care behind
The high wall he had built
To protect me from those who were unnerved
By my strange, “fairy” blood.
For this, my isolation
They called me a witch
Sorceress
And as the years passed, I consented
So be it, I will be their witch
I did not take you from your parents
As punishment
Rather, I considered, what sort of life would you have
With a mother, whose greed caused her husband
To steal, from she whom he feared.
I saw how beautiful you would be
And she would have grown jealous
Of such a beauty
Desired child or no.
If only they had asked for the rapunzel she so craved,
I would have given all they asked, and perhaps our tale would have been different.
My tower was only meant to protect,
To hide, that which evil men would have taken
By force
I knew how cruel the world could be, to she born
Too pretty and fair.
And this prince
This handsome man who
Won your heart.
How long before his pretty words
Persuaded you to spread your legs to him
So that he might have his way with you?
For what greater power can a man have
But to soothe our fears with words
Silly child—it was never your voice
That drew him to your tower.
But your fair looks
And the fact that I had made you
Untouchable, forbidden fruit.
What could be more tempting to a man,
Than a woman who could neither pursue him
Should he not return.
Nor run should he grow harsh
Nor be won away by another, better man.
It is just as well that he was
Made blind by the gods--
Though I would have demanded
A higher price, for your innocence.
What was his answer, I wonder
When you pondered why your clothes had become too tight?
Do not forget, yes, I cast you out
Of your tower, which could protect you
No longer.
But did I not tend to you
In the wilderness?
As you lay gasping, from the pain
Of birthing his children
I did not leave you, or your twins
For dead.
And it was by my magic, that his eyes
Were restored, when your tears fell upon them.
For I had seen him humbled, and knew myself
To be ailing.
How quickly this part of the story is forgotten By those who love to repeat it.
I tell you this, lest you forget
I loved you, child
My fair Rapunzel.
