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The Taken Girl

Father left when I was eleven. It was at this time
That I began regular jaunts to grandma's house.
Mom worked; and, my older sister was pure slime.
Grandma was wonderful, but, as silent as a mouse.

It was during such a visit, on a warm summer day,
That I delighted in a discovery of magical proportions.
After breakfast, grandma would sit still and drift away.
Free to explore, I peeked and felt without repercussions.

In the attic I found chests and boxes of fabulous wares:
Old clothes, artifacts, worn photographs and ... a journal,
Which jumped into my arms and scare-bumped my hairs.
It spoke of grandpa, the garden ... and a visitor nocturnal.

I stuffed the journal in my backpack and exited that cell.
At night, by flashlight, I read under my "Supergirl" throw.
Pages were torn and/or missing -- save for a magic spell:
To summon a fairy/Angel and be granted a wishful show.

It was grandpa's secret writings, and I didn't think she knew.
The next day mom dropped me off and, while grandma dozed,
I went out to find that spot in the garden to read and fairy brew.
My tea was hot and steaming as I recited and gracefully posed....

Out of nowhere came an Oberon sprite, a hovering, gliding fairy:
"What is your wish? A boy to kiss? A household rich?" She peeped.
I thought long and hard the night before: "Return my father to me."
"There is a cost. A thing to take and a price to pay," She squeaked.

"What is the cost?" I said, impatiently, scared that grandma would hear.
"That I cannot say. It's not fit for mortals to know," She resolutely spoke.
"Whatever," I sighed. "Please grant my wish?!" I felt a cold, dreadful fear.
Then the fairy and my special fae tea vanished in a puff of purple smoke.

I cried with joy as my father (without apology or explanation) returned.
Sadly, sis, and especially mom, were not as ecstatic or enthusiastic as me.
I didn't see much of grandma after that -- I heard her health had turned.
I knew, without knowing, I had done a bad thing. It's time to make a plea.

I begged mom to let me visit with grandma while she was feeling ill.
She was in her favorite chair. I took a breath and blurted everything out.
I was given a stack of blank pages and instructed how make them fill.
Grandpa also made a fairy deal to remove grandma's cancerous sprout!

"Don't fret, my beautiful child," She cried. "You need a loving father."
"But, Grandma," I said. "They're still fighting -- and, you're getting worse!"
"Is there any way we can null the deal and challenge this magical bother?"
"My dear," She smiled. "Return the journal and let me deal with this curse."

I relinquished the journal and waited. The family was not doing well....
A week later grandma made a surprise visit, carrying a rather large bag.
She spoke to me in private, after the family had left to eat and swell.
"Grandma," I said, "I've got to know. Did you talk with that spiteful nag?"

"My sweet pudding pie," She cooed, "Nothing for you to worry or pout."
"I'm fine; and, your father will stay or go -- no magic can help a spouse."
"Yes, I understand that now," I said.  "But, how did you turn her about?"
"You will have to protect her home for as long as you live in this house."

"But, Grandma," I said, "What happens if I'm grown and have to move?"
"Why, my darling little girl, that is entirely another awesome, fairy story!"

July 12, 2016
A Delightful Children's Fable - Poetry Contest

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