A collection of short poems

Beauty or beast

Once upon a time sat a merchant in his house

Robbed of his riches now sitting in a hut

To feed twelve children and keep their mouths shut

The youngest girl of the lot was a beauty

Who was subjected to cold and misery

One day the merchant hears about his ship's return

And Beauty's eyes were full of concern

While others asked him for weapons and gowns

She only asked for his safe return in town

The father promised her a rose and went to get the gifts

But the ship was seized to pay the debts

Heartbroken and penniless he wanders in a castle

That had magnificent furniture and a talking candle

He plucks a rose for Beauty from the garden

But a beast sprang upon him who was the warden

He asks the merchant to return with the girl

Who would marry him or his wrath would unfurl

The merchant reluctantly agrees and runs for his life

Beauty learns of how she would soon be Beast's wife

She plans to fight him alone and slips in the night

Reaching the castle she is blinded with light

As the gold and diamonds glitter and gleam

Her heart begins to shout and scream

She says, "Now I'll teach everyone a lesson"

And begins to fill the drinks with poison

The beast arrives in the room for a dance

And she slips the glass in his hand at the first chance

He takes a sip but her throat chokes

"Oh, you want the riches," he jokes

The beautiful maiden transforms in a beast

And the prince sits back and relishes the feast

"Who needs a beauty like you?" he asked

"No thanks, I'm done with what I was tasked"

So, off he went to trap another lady

Who looked beautiful but her heart was shady

Those who play with hearts would go to hell

Not all fairytales are supposed to end well.