Anonymous

Tale as old as time
As most fairytales will say
But if they were rewritten
today they’d look quite tame

There’s Hansel and there’s Gretel
And the house made out of treats
A cunning witch’s trap
Lured in by something sweet

Then there’s Rumpelstiltskin
And his hay turned into gold
At least he spun a profit
From the first-born he was sold

The parents of today
Are a different type, you see
When they see that I am childless
Their eyes swell with pity

The charlatan, I am,
I’ve learned to play along
Hidden in plain sight,
In a world I don’t belong

I bide my time and wait
For that most infamous whine
When their kids are acting crazy
“Ugh, do you want mine?”

Out comes the pen and contract
Not losing any time
The smile creaks across my face
“right here is where you sign”

Their color fades completely
Their face as white as sheets
They quickly grab their babies
Mutter apologetic bleats

I promise I’m no monster
Your kids I will not eat
But the words you say have power
So please think before you speak