Once Upon

In between the Once Upon a Times and
Happily Ever Afters is Reality,
the Truth and nothing but the Truth
that someone should have mentioned
earlier. We might have traded in
the glossy book for something less severe,
but maybe... maybe...  we just haven't reached
the good part yet, the one we always knew could happen,
dreaming of the possibilities, a glimpse of
joy beyond the rainbow, stuff of stories
that rang true within our hearts.
And what we're living now is just the
dragon breathing fire, or troll beneath
the bridge, and if we only turn the page,
or maybe two or three, we'll see that all is well
or will be soon. Mistakenly, too many
will stop reading altogether, never reaching
the dramatic ending that is more of a beginning,
dragons gone, no trolls in sight, just love
and happiness, and you.


(c) Ellen Gillette, 2016

In Hot Water

In hot water just last night,

but not because of mischief (though I might

be so inclined with half a chance,

an opportunity or circumstance

in which I might be trouble.)

The hot water, all a bubble,

started cooking up - not dinner -

but just me... my outsides and my inner

workings in the place I love, the spa

that was no longer set on relax- "ahhh"

but higher than is (wisely) recommended.

Other times, a soaking has been splendid,

but last night and unbeknownst to me

the thermostat had risen with some mystery

and if I hadn't gotten out, which time I did,

I might've boiled without awareness as I slid

into oblivion. The headlines of my sad demise

would surely catch you all by something like surprise,

but maybe, those adoring few and silly 'nough

would wipe a tear away and say, 

"I always thought she was hot stuff

and am, I guess, exactly right today."

(c) Ellen Gillette, 2016