Editor's note: This is a thorough mashup that had me identifying villainesses and other characters the whole time I read it. It also digs into that stepmother business rather effectively. As for the picture, well, there's no Lancelot in Marcia's poem, but I think the picture captures the mood of it rather nicely.
I will let you in on a
secret.
Of course none of us have
actually died.
That is all just written for
dramatic effect.
It seems so much more
-
Interesting,
Heartwarming,
Difficult,
To have a father raise a
daughter.
Alone.
But we are all
here.
All the
mothers.
In the
background,
Or on another
estate.
Or in another, smaller,
castle.
We all keep in
touch.
And we meet at least once a
year.
Queen and commoner
alike.
Even that doe,
The one everybody thinks was
shot.
And that
clownfish.
In a bowl of
course.
Those of us who live close
enough,
Visit with one another quite
often.
And we have more to do with
the stories than anyone realizes.
Take for example that silly
girl and Rumplestiltskin.
I can say that silly
girl.
Because she married my
son.
Do you really think, for one
minute,
She was able to get out of
that situation alone?
Do you really think, for even
one second,
Her mother and I were going
to let her take a chance
On giving up our first-born
grandchild?
Pish, we were there to help
her all along.
We did the "heavy
lifting."
I would love to be able to
tell the truth about that.
Who would believe me
anyway,
After these hundreds of years
of fairy tales.
Every so often someone new
comes along.
Some little-known tale
Suddenly becomes popular.
Or gets
modernized.
Thanks to
Walt.
That brings something
fresh
To the annual
meeting.
But for the most part we just
live in the shadows.
We keep the households
And the kingdoms running
smoothly.
It does get a little
lonely,
Husbands and
families
Unable to acknowledge us
publicly.
Makes you feel hemmed
in.
Unappreciated.
Makes you want to blow off
some steam.
So every five years or so we
come here.
Across the
pond.
Visit with Powhatan's
wife.
Let our hair
down.
So to
speak.
Another silly girl, that
Rapunzel.
Why, I would love another,
thank you.
That is very charming of
you.
And believe me I know
something about charming.
Yes, we do age very
well.
My
room?
I would be enchanted to show
you my room.
I am sharing, but the
roommates are out shopping.
Something about shoes and
mirrors and roses.
Just mind the spindle in the
corner,
It is
sharp.
 |
| "The Four Queens Find Lancelot Sleeping," by Frank Cadogan Cowper |
Marcia A. Sherman is Mama to one perfect Rose.She writes for Llewellyn Publishing under the name of
Emyme, has self-published the children's book The Splendid, Blended
Family, and is writing the Great American Wiccan Novel.
