Challenging Poetry

on fairy tales

in the stories—
some set out
to rescue the innocent and fight
evil and steal a dragon’s horde,
with a ribbon on their arm,
as armor against the monsters
who wear a lover’s shape—
such a frail defense—
and others watch them
go in their mirrors,
casting protections and charms
to guide their return—
everyone grows and learns,
and lives happily ever after.

but we live
in a different time—
our young set out naked
into the world,
blindfolded and spun in place
and surrounded
by masks to disguise
friend from foe—
and the ones who watch
find their mirrors clouded
and their protections
cobweb thin,
because happy and forever
are impossibilities
in our reality.

is it any wonder
too many lose themselves
in their vision quests—
and wander the wilderness,
never finding home.

I've been reading too much Joseph Campbell recently--I blame/credit him for this one.