Black Apples and the Kiss of Awakening

She was a Black Queen,
her black velvet cloak trimmed with ermine,
her black wizened heart and gimlet eyes
brooding over a world of darkness
where she would never, not ever,
be the fairest of all.

The young innocent beauty
of the King's daughter vexed her.
Just one slice of the black apple
sent the princess into a mortal swoon.

The Black Queen instructed six ravens
to carry the girl deep into the forest
and place her on a bier of thorns,
where the girl awaited
the Kiss of Awakening.

When the Princess's eyes opened,
she was Woke.
Now a Mighty Girl, she roared
back to the castle on her Harley,
locked the Black Queen into a dank dungeon,
toppled the Orange King off his throne,
and ruled, mightily,
until her face sagged
and her eyes grew dim.

Then it was time
to polish another apple,
eat one perfect slice,
and return to a dimly remembered,
but peaceful,
Golden Slumber.


for Shay at The Sunday Muse where we contemplate black apples.