Ten small moons
blank as bone,
not bright enough
to guide her home.
Five above, and
five below
in the land of Fae,
where cold winds blow.
A coffin, glass,
her beauty case;
asleep at last,
the maiden, chaste.
A mirror’s truth
first planted seed,
from poison springs
doom’s apple tree.
Cloaked in night
her hunter lies;
a queen deceived
by fourteen eyes.
Grim tales weave
through bloody looms.
In royal breast
a thawed rose blooms.
– Ryan Stone
First published in Poppy Road Review, March 2016.
Ah, the old tales come to life. Nice, Ryan!
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Never too old for a fairytale 😉 Thank you, Sarah.
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Oh Ryan, what flow, what lucidity, what rhythm, this moves like a lyrical dream. My new favourite of yours! A feast for the eyes and the heart. Bravo!
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Thank you, Manan! I appreciate your kind words so much. I’m never overly confident when writing rhyming poetry…I worry I sound forced. Happy to hear it flowed for you 🙂
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Oh it did. And beautifully so.
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A good tale that flowed.
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Thank you do much. I don’t often rhyme, glad it came across ok 🙂
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Yes it did.
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This is so gorgeous, love your spin on this tale. The last two lines…yes!! ❤
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Thank you so much, Elizabeth. Wonderful feedback 🙂
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Wow Ryan…you’ve done a brilliant job with this one. 🙂 Amazing! A thawed rose blooms…wow! Can’t stop saying wow! 🙂
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Wow-I’ll join in, too – your feedback is wow 🙂 Thank you kindly, Aishwarya 😀
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Haha 😀 cheers!
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Any man who puts “fae” into his poem somehow has found a way into my heart.
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WooHoo! Thanks, Em – made me smile 😀
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Good, I’ve done my job. I am part fae, after all…
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It’s a magic way to be 😀
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beautiful poem, I love its rambly, fairytale rhymth and rhyme and the accompanying art is wonderful!
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Ah, you’re so lovely! Thanks, Melinda – big smiles over here now 😀
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Lovely! 🙂
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Thank you so much 🙂
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Gorgeous!
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Thanks, Al. And what did you think of my poem? 😜
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😛 Silly! Seriously though, this one is gorrrrgggeeeeoouuusss!
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Thank you, Al 🙂
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;]
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I actually stood up near the end and am applauding. Brilliant writing Ryan.
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Haha, that’s brilliant! Thank you, Ax – greatly appreciated, mate 🙂
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Ryan, this is an exceptional piece! Wow! You amaze me!
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Thank you for your lovely feedback, Belinda. You’re always so kind 🙂
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You’re most welcome and deserving. Who doesn’t love a fairytale?. Grin
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Beautiful poem, clever twist Mr. Stone. The rhyme and archaic words added to the sophistication of this tale. Loved it and the image you chose compliments that ingenious title!
🙂
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Thank you, Miss Skittles! I made the picture specifically 🙂
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You look great in red!! 😀
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:p
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Ryan, this is such a delightful retelling of a classic tale in poetic form, wonderful. You had me smiling with, “by fourteen eyes” a great visual. I thoroughly enjoyed this. Please have a wonderful weekend. ~ Mia
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Thank you so much, Mia. I certainly will after your feedback! I hope yours is full of magic, too 😀
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You’re welcome and thank you. 🙂
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Oh my, Ryan–this is nothing short of fabulous! Applauding with sincere delight!
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You have no idea just how much that means. Thank you, my friend 🙂
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Oh you’re more than welcome–it was a stellar stunner!
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Magical. I agree with Emily, fae in a poem! ❤️ I love it.
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Beautifully written Ryan! A fairy tale twisted with a modern key! Your poem reminded me that I loved all the Brother’s Grimm fairy tales 😉
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Thank you, Carolina 🙂 Something a bit different-so happy you liked it.
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Yes I did like it! It’s nice to be different 😉
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Great piece, Ryan! You capture the essence of this old tale much better than the modern day attempts. Love this and the image is perfect!!
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Thanks, mate. I’m constantly amazed at the content of many ‘bedtime’ stories!
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You are welcome, my friend! Keep the content coming 🙂
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I love the fairy-tale magic here. The images are as bright and haunting as the illustrations of classic storybooks. It was like stepping into a long-forgotten world. Fantastic!
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Brilliant feedback – thank you so much 🙂
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What a beautiful version of the fairytale. Absolutely loved this!
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Thank you, Geetha. So happy you stopped by 🙂
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Welcome Ryan. I am happy to have stopped by too. I missed out on a few of your writings as I am very time constrained these days and only barely get to transcribe the flow of poetry that keeps pouring out for me but have not caught up on the writings of so many people I love to follow.
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