As I Stroll

I’m not a fool you know,

I know what is -probably- coming next.

But I also know what I would write,

If this were a fairytale, or some romantic epic.

I would set it in the regency period, of course.

So I could have flowing silk skirts,

Glittering gold embroidery in English gardens,

And you, somehow both somber and resplendent

In a top hat and tails. Lace at your neck that I’d have to undo…

Forgive me a moment, I am distracted…

But also, I would want the heroine

Me

To go down in a blaze of glory

Embrace the adventure,

Set sail, searching for new worlds,

After she had kindly and artfully

Told the old one to fuck off.

Never once giving up, never wavering from her

Heart’s desire.

Even in the darkest of times.

And so

That is exactly what I plan to do.

I would ask for luck

But I don't need it.

I know what I'm doing.

Struggle against a siren

The minotaur arrived,

So the soldier picked up her spear,

Standing with her dark haired comrade.

And after it was all done,

The blood finally spilled,

The roar of hunger ended,

She grinned, saying  ‘what’s next?’

So when the hippogryph came

With fearsome beak and sharpest talons

The man threw himself in front of her

Reflexively reaching

For safety and a happier life.

An instant decision

Made from months of thought.

But when it was the siren

That slipped into his mind

Contorting and twisting

Leaving shadow and rain.

He seemed surprised that she stayed.

He tried to run instead,

Diving into watery depths.

So she jumped in too.

And when he couldn’t tell

If the curse was inside  him

Or around him

Or simply was him,

His psyche a tapestry of swords and daggers,

She dragged him back on the ship

And breathed the words

“It doesn’t matter to me.

You’re still you

The ocean

Can not change that.”