After Before

She fiddles with the fairy tale. Like undoing a candy wrapper with her fingers. It's too easy. She sighs as she bites. Releasing a flood of caramel. Thoughts of her childhood suddenly more potent than before. Empty syringes puzzled at where the substance has gone. Sore veins miraculously strong. The makeshift super heroes of breast fed demon magnanimous.

The wolf slips out of granny's gown and into its fur. It's teeth forgotten. Like a child coloring with a broken crayon. Outlines too absurb. Hearts too beige to ever color in.

Clutching at the princess in her fading gown the emperor wears his close. His mortality his crown. His loneliness his kingdom.