The Princess and the Ruddy Great Rock

For 30 years this princess has been slowly but surely piling up these mattresses.  The goal 
you know already: a contented night’s sleep.  Soft, satisfying, and a whole lot more cosy 
than the rugs that those poor bugs seem to get lumbered with.

30 years. That’s a long time to be stacking those damn things.  And it’s hard work for a 
princess you know.  It’s not like I’m used to sweeping cinders like some others I could 
mention.  There are no dwarfs or woodland creatures here helping me out.

30 years.  Just me meticulously placing one on top of the other.  No genie gave me a lamp 
to rub and ‘alakazam’ it’s done.  There’s no beanstalk to climb up either.  Just a rickety old 
step ladder as my faithful servant offering me a hand.  Till finally, now, I’m done, ready to 
climb in.

And then what.  You come along and shove a ruddy great rock underneath them.  
Marvellous. What chance is there now of that decent night’s sleep, I ask you? I knew I 
should have stayed away from that damn frog.  Next time I’ll kiss the toad.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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