Braids and Ladders

Braids and Ladders

There was once a very selfish wife,
Who allowed her husband to risk his life,
Collecting Rapunzel climbing over
A witch’s wall,
Until one night the witch caught him!
How dare you, how did you have
The gall!
She promised not to hurt a hair on	
His head,
But made him a promise that she 
Would instead,
Collect their first born,
Which she duly did one morn!
Rapunzel, she called the little girl,
Who grew into a true sight to
Be seen,
So the witch locked her in a tower
Where not a solitary being,
Could enter, for there was no door
Just a window way up high
And a very high tower pointed towards 
The sky.
Rapunzel had very long blonde
Braids,
And up these braids climbed this horrible
Old witch.
Rapunzel to pass the time would sing,
And one day a prince passed, heard
A song and watched the witch cling
To long braids which reached the ground,
After she had
Whispered Rapunzel let down your hair,
Which someone from high up did with
Great flair!
One night the prince said the same,
And without a care,
Rapunzel let down her hair,
Up climbed the prince , Rapunzel
Was startled, and he, taken aback,
At such beauty, he immediately fell in love,
Proposed, Rapunzel accepted for
She instantly loved him back.
One day Rapunzel said to the witch,
You are much heavier than the prince,
You evil girl, she said, you are deceitful
And took her to a desert to weep and
Where she would never see people! 
The witch tied Rapunzel’s braids 
By the window and when the prince
Called for Rapunzel to let down her hair,
He climbed up the braids, which he didn’t
Know were now a snare!
The witch pushed him, he fell into a 
Bush with many a thorn,
And was blinded.   
He lost interest in life and wandered through
The forest, he was lost in mourn,
Finally reached the desert and heard
A familiar voice in song,
Ran towards it Rapunzel recognized
The prince and shed many a tear,
One of which, to the witches’ greatest fear, 
Fell on his eyes and delighted
He could again see,
Together they took flee,
To the Prince’s kingdom, where Rapunzel, the 
Fair beauty and the Prince married,
Not a moment wasted or tarried!


Foot Note
RAPUNZEL IS A SALAD VEGETABLE
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Fairchild Avatar
February 24, 2019 at 1:58 AM
Beautifully retold! Makes me love the old story all over again!
Proxenos Avatar
February 24, 2019 at 10:37 AM
Hi Andrew, Rapunzel was always my favorite fairy story - as a child i was told by my mother that when told the story (often) I used to ask - was her head so strong that people could climb up her braid of hair? Ah, the innocence of a child! Poetry hugs, Jennifer.
Laurie Avatar
February 22, 2019 at 8:27 PM
Hello Jennifer … nice and easy to read and comprehend. Good job - a vegetable! I had no idea - thank you Jennifer - Lindsay
Proxenos Avatar
February 23, 2019 at 12:57 AM
Nor did I Lindsay but looked up the the story to remember a couple of details of the story and when I read that a man used to jump over a wall to fetch Rapunzel from the witches garden , i looked up rapunzel and also learnt this for the first time. Thanks Lindsay, Poetry hugs, Jennifer
Raven Avatar
February 20, 2019 at 10:42 AM
Hi Jennifer, a wonderful telling of the classic fairy-tale. from beginning to end I was captivated by the story. Your poetic words painted a living canvas of wonderful images. An excellent piece Jennifer, a fave. Have a wonderful Wednesday. Hugs....Mike. XX
Proxenos Avatar
February 20, 2019 at 10:49 AM
Thank-you Vladislav, you always say the kindest things. I adore turning a fairy story into a poem, you used a very apt word - captivating - I enjoy captivating the essence of these prince and princess magical stories. Poetry hugs, Jennifer.
Pandit Avatar
February 20, 2019 at 9:32 AM
Quite an effort you put into this..a charming story you wrote, Jennifer.
Proxenos Avatar
February 20, 2019 at 10:44 AM
Thank-you for your charming comment Vijay and for your visit 3rd princess poem for Caren's challenge! Poetry hugs, Jennifer.
Mcconnell Avatar
February 20, 2019 at 4:06 AM
Such a lovely penned piece Jennifer, I've never heard of this tale before so it was a nice read indeed. Have a blessed day, Gordon
Proxenos Avatar
February 20, 2019 at 4:19 AM
Thank-you Gordon - this was my fav. fairy story as a child - my parents took it in turns to read it to me almost every night! Happy you enjoyed my poem. Poetry hugs, Jennifer.
Wanter Avatar
February 19, 2019 at 4:41 PM
I don't remember the story line - only the characters - but it didn't matter - you really held my attention!
Proxenos Avatar
February 19, 2019 at 11:56 PM
That's awesome Sunlite Wanter. 'glad you enjoyed from start to finish. Accepting Caren's challenge to do as many princess stories as i can remember or find. Poetry hugs, Jennifer
Y. Avatar
February 19, 2019 at 2:19 PM
WoW! Jennifer, I enjoyed how you retold the classic fairy tale. It was engaging, captivating and etc! Long stories tend to lose my attention quick, However that didn't happen as I read this. I hung onto every word. I didn't want it to end. Great ending to a classic tale with a twist:') Alexis
Proxenos Avatar
February 19, 2019 at 2:31 PM
I love fairy tales and especially Princess poems, - it was Caren who challenged me to carry on writing them, have a couple more up my sleeve, but thank-you Alexis for a Wow comment. Love and poetry hugs, Jennifer.
Onclaud Avatar
February 19, 2019 at 2:16 PM
i like how you changed the storyline a bit to make this tale even more enjoyable, jen... wonderful write!.....huggs
Proxenos Avatar
February 19, 2019 at 2:24 PM
Hi Nette, A firm fav. for me as a child - to this day remember my mother or father reading it to me every night! A Wonderful comment - thank-you Nette! Poetry hugs, Jennifer
Andresen Avatar
February 19, 2019 at 1:17 PM
- This reminds me of a Norwegian fairy tale, Jennifer - I can't remember the title ... but it was about a princess in a tower ... with her long braided hair ... and the prince climbed up and saved her ... :) - A lovely poem, dear soul sister :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Proxenos Avatar
February 19, 2019 at 2:17 PM
Hi my dear smiley soul-sister, You know me and princess poems, I am a hopeless fan! Wish I lived in fairy tale land - thank you for a charming comment Anne-Lise - love and hugs, Jennifer.
May Avatar
February 19, 2019 at 12:56 PM
This is Excellent Jennifer it keep my attention though the whole poem, very very well done my friend
Proxenos Avatar
February 19, 2019 at 2:09 PM
Thank-you Bobby, a lovely comment my friend and very happy you enjoyed!. Poetry hugs, Jennifer.
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