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The Fallacy of 'Once Upon a Time'

A fallacy, that every 'once upon a time' is a beautiful fantasy, for some hold lies Fairytales have a hero, but also a villain masked in sheep's clothing as a disguise Red Riding Hood defeated the Big Bad Wolf Billy Goat Gruff butted a troll to the stream Simba overthrew Scar, vile imposter king People are not always what they seem A fancy dressed pirate was Captain Hook Voldemart was He Who Must Not Be Named Shere Khan, a snake slithering in the grass Cold-hearted scoundrels should be blamed Crows cluster to feast upon weak and dying Sharks speed to feed in frenzied gathering Wicked queens and witches jostle for power boasting in gibberish while foolishly blathering With evil intentions, dark minds contemplate lurking in shadows while stalking their prey for vengeance and spite, they congregate water holes are dangerous on any given day A real hero has no need to don a serape Doesn't wield a sword with sharpened blade A person with courage can dip a nib in ink Dress in pink ruffles, wear her hair in a braid Never tempt fate by entering a dragon's lair Do not willfully step into the nest of a viper or praise a chamaleon for its deceitful charade while he plays the luring tune of a Pied Piper Think carefully before you fork your tongue or write words that can easily be misconstrued Throw off the sinister attitude of a blackguard unless you take delight in being labeled "crude"

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Joanna Daniel

Date: 6/4/2017 5:44:00 AM

Hi Lin, this is a great take on 'not-so' fairy tales, advice that's needed more these days:)

Lin Lane
Date: 6/4/2017 5:54:00 AM

Thank you, Jo. I was on a mission when I wrote this one...lol. Its all better now.

Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 5/25/2017 5:53:00 PM

Very cool and clever poem, Lin. You use your immense knowledge deftly to shape a well forged word-sword. You wield your truth weapon expertly, dear. Many lessons learned in this delightful write. A righteous 7. Love and hugs always.

Lin Lane
Date: 5/26/2017 10:17:00 AM

Your many compliments are taken humbly, Freddie. Thanks ever so much for your generous gifts.

Dale Gregory Cozart

Date: 5/25/2017 4:30:00 PM

isn't disillusionment awful? it's like walking into a room and saying, "my broker is e. f. hutton", only to realize it doesn't work.

Lin Lane
Date: 5/26/2017 10:16:00 AM

Aye, it is awful to fathom what people do to each other. No one listens any longer, and woe to the shame of that.

Eve Roper

Date: 5/25/2017 3:08:00 PM

Love it, Lin,, anyone in particular ~*

Lin Lane
Date: 5/25/2017 3:15:00 PM

lol Eve. I have a laundry list that needs bleaching. Thanks, dear one.

Daniel Turner

Date: 5/25/2017 2:37:00 PM

Sadly, even being selective we are still deceived. Badness is out there, it has to fall on somebody. I have fallen in behind the "pied piper" a time or two myself. Love the poem, Lin.

Lin Lane
Date: 5/25/2017 3:17:00 PM

Deception is a new art form...one that is colorless, filled with flaws and lives in darkness. Thanks a whole lot, Danny.

Eye Truth-Teller

Date: 5/25/2017 1:07:00 PM

snakes slither truth told

Lin Lane
Date: 5/25/2017 1:10:00 PM

Yes, and they also hissssssss. Forked tongues lie. Thanks for stopping by, Truth-teller.

Jan Allison

Date: 5/25/2017 11:33:00 AM

Gosh Lin so many baddies in all these tales and as we know not all fairy stories have a happy ending . Love the wisdom in the final stanza:-) hugs jan xx7

Lin Lane
Date: 5/25/2017 11:50:00 AM

Black hats do seem to be prevalent lately, but not to worry, Jan. The good guys far outnumber the villains. Thanks so much.

Tim Smith

Date: 5/25/2017 11:14:00 AM

Wow I think you got most but a few still seem to always hide behind false persona and well decorated masks. In the end justice is served.

Lin Lane
Date: 5/25/2017 11:49:00 AM

True, Tim, and continue to hide behind their newly invented names to throw jabs, but let them lob sticks and stones. There may be a follow up to this. No one has shot the sheriff, yet.

Chris Green

Date: 5/25/2017 10:42:00 AM

This was really good Lin. You seem to have covered it all nicely. The rhymes and flow are smooth and the story is very cool. I do wonder if there might be more hidden within these lines that I am not picking up on, but that's okay too. The last stanza ties it together nicely though I have been called crude more times than I can count and there will be more I am sure, especially when I don pink ruffles and wear my hair in a braid. :)

Lin Lane
Date: 5/25/2017 11:45:00 AM

I can fix you up with some pink ruffles and a braided wig, Chris. The moral of this poem is evident in the line..."People are not always what they seem" That applies to this site as well as in the world. I thank you for never being crude with me, and doubt that you ever are with anyone...wink