Directive

consider carefully the warnings in fairytales;
they mean it.
in the cove

you will see two bird cages:

one with the bird of gold; 
the other, a poor swallow.
one in a jeweled cage

all pave splendid;
the other in a flea market wicker.
pick the plain one, not the dazzle.

oh yes, you say. oh certainly,

to the sage.you're not like the others.
you'll follow directions.
but do you?

the gold glimmers and the jewels entwine
and you'll forget everything in time
the neighbor says, falsely comforting.

but not this.

pay attention to what I'm saying.
your fortune's lost, suspended,
on the instant,

princess and castle gone.
and you back there where you began;
your belongings tied up in a kerchief;

the little you had before wishing.

mary angela dougas 10 november 2015