After The Ball

The Sultan rules the castle
with a gilded finger,
painting over blemishes
with a new coat of hypocrisy;
dressing all his followers 
in smiling faces
and shutting out reality
with outward appearances.

Gold on the outside
polished to a super sheen
hiding cracks in the foundation
caused by reverberations 
for which he claims
no blame. 

He found his Cinderella
in a farmer’s field
and hid his spots from view
behind false promises
that he actually believed.
Blinded by her insecurities 
too late she realised
that the wand was laced with greed,
and the ball gown placed a chain 
around her neck
that tarnished from the tears she wept
deep in the secret chambers 
of her heart.

And the Sultan cannot see her
past the image he’s created
of who he thinks she ought to be,
and the only one who really knows
what’s written in her heart
is a merchant
from a land across the sea,
who sold her magic beans
for a fraction of their worth
just to see the smile
grow on her face
and that’s all he’s ever asked for
in return.


february 2006
Janet Reid