Handsome & the Hideous
XI
Handsome woke in the carefully preserved room
to a bowl of soup floating beside the bed.
Too glad to be alive, he overlooked the strangeness,
accepting the food and requesting some bread.
The food kept appearing through a nearby door,
floating, but steady, as his requests were brought.
He asked where he was, but received no reply
so he decided to wait patiently for the answers he sought.
A tin bath was filled and he soaked in it for hours,
washing away the forest’s stain from his skin.
New clothes were presented, and he allowed
invisible hands to dress him, wearing a grin.
The clothes were a healthy green,
comfortable but stylish, a statement of hope.
He felt like someone important, needed,
instead of one suited for the hangman’s rope.
The invisible servants followed as he left the room
into a corridor, old and worn, but clean.
He felt whispers of movement as he explored,
sensing more life nearby that remained unseen.
He explored the castle wing for the next few days,
content in the luxury of his new home,
but soon he longed to see the outside again,
in the gardens and courtyard he longed to roam.
The door leading from the west wing was locked
and at first the servants refused to let him leave,
but with gentle coaxing and promises of staying
they handed over the key, anxiety relieved.
He was led, very strictly, to the gardens and back,
never allowed to see the rest of the castle.
For now, he let them have their way,
enjoying the outside, and not wanting any hassle.
He sensed another presence outside, following,
picking up the flowers Handsome plucked and discarded.
It never approached him or caused any harm
but neither would it leave the garden unguarded.
One day, he ignored insistent tugs at his clothes
to leave the garden before the sun set.
He was growing bored of the restrictions…
and in this way, Handsome and the hideous officially met.
Scribbled Thoughts 