Table of Contents

  Introduction
  1. Mapping the Ways
  2. Spinning the Tales
  3. Voices & Viewpoints
  4. Spell Binding & Spell Breaking
  5. Magical Objects
  6. Desire & Its Discontents
  7. The Grimm Sisterhood
  8. Variations & Updates
  9. Ever After, Or a Few Years Later
  10. Living the Tales
  About the Authors
  Acknowledgments
  Selected Bibliography
  Index of Poems by Tale
  Index of Authors and Titles
  About the Editors

B R U C E    B E N N E T T

The Skeptical Prince

He thinks he caught a glimpse once; heard a song.
But that was long ago. He could be wrong.
He'd scale the tower, burst the bonds, he'll swear,
if she'll just give some token she is there.

The town has grown accustomed to the sight:
he drinks by day, then hangs around at night,
purveying sad and antiquated lore,
insisting he will act once he is sure.

His horse is stabled elsewhere. He'll decide,
he claims, the day, the hour, he will ride.
He's waiting for a sign. He wants it known
his purpose holds. And he'll not leave alone.