~ by Patrick W. Kavanagh

I am Queen, and who but I should reign?

The creatures of this world have had nine hundred years and brought it little gain.

That wretched Beast who drove me to these northern wastes may love them as his own.

But, only I can teach them how to sweat and toil to turn this world into a fitting home.

I, who have become a goddess, should not have to live in solitude and in despair.

The Beast who made the fruit which tore my heart has sent me to this icy lair.

I have sacrificed the world I craved and earned my place of power.

Soon that cursed tree will die, and I will seize the day and see His final hour.

He cannot be stronger than my will, which forged itself in ice, for near one thousand years alone?

I have bartered all I own, and I have cried a million frozen tears to claim my rightful throne.

This very night the Beast will trade his life for one fool boy who strayed.

I will put an end to Him and all his pious plans upon the altar He, Himself, has made.

The deed is done! The battle all but won! And soon, this land will quake with fear,

They who dared despise the noble and the wise will pay with toil and tears.

They will build, for me, a palace with one hundred turrets reaching to the sky.

Then, when the children ask why they should serve, their parents’ bones will tell the reason why.