no fairy tales

i wasn’t raised on fairy tales

i never thought the prince was coming

i did not look or wait for him to march in on his horse

no matter the color

i grew up knowing i had to save myself

i had no visions of royal kisses in the moonlight

on a castle’s balcony

i took care of myself

i had no dreams of being taken care of

or fitting like a hand and glove

i saw the men come

i saw the men go

no words or show

just go

they were here today and gone tomorrow

leaving behind sorrow

tears and shame

but they were never blamed

it was up to the women to carry on

make everything work

smiling instead of cussing

laughing to keep from crying

all the while dying for some love

by mozayik “the souls’ poet”