Cinderella After Midnight

People have the wrong impression of your life; Seems you never liked your father’s second wife. You let the prayers of childhood go unsaid; Spent a humid adolescence in an unmade bed. Your sisters always tended to their chores, Then they’d have to find the time to finish yours. While you would pick narcissus by the pond, Thinking how you’d look much better as a platinum blonde. All your fantasies of cartoon musketeers Drape like curtains in the space between your ears, As though to catch the echo of a thought Before it can distract you from the shoes you’ve bought. One should only wear glass slippers to a ball If the dancing floor has carpet wall to wall. Don’t tango down and down those darkened stairs, Or take the clock for granted as if midnight cares. Now the dirt that’s on the paving stone today Ain’t the kind you take your broom and sweep away. The Prince is busy looking for his Queen, While you work hard to get your reputation clean.