Cinderella’s Support Group
by Jennifer Lagier
Her cigarette shakes
during her turn
to describe how
happy-ever-after
went dramatically wrong.
She crumples Kleenex,
tells the traditional
rags-to-riches,
rescue by prince
on a white charger story.
Her stepsisters understand
the familiar betrayal motif,
smile wryly, nod when she
sobs about the poisoned apple,
treacherous mirror.
She is over forty and
the magic is dead.
There are no cotillions left.
Youth’s glass slipper has shattered;
the glittery ball gown no longer fits.
IMAGE: “Cinderella” by Mirabella.
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: What woman hasn’t landed her Prince Charming, only to discover the qualities of frogdom are permanent? I wrote this poem after my second divorce.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jennifer Lagier has published 10 books of poetry and internationally in a variety of literary magazines and anthologies. Her latest book, Where We Grew Up, was just issued by FutureCycle Press. She taught with California Poets in the Schools, co-edits the Homestead Review, maintains web sites for Homestead Review, Monterey Poetry Review, Ping Pong Literary Journal, misfitmagazine and helps coordinate monthly Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium Second Sunday readings. Visit her at jlagier.net.
AUTHOR’S PHOTO: Jennifer Lagier at Point Lobos, taken by Laura Bayless.
Silver Birch Press 
Hilarious!