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Cinderella

Fortune frowned on you, hapless maid
abused, misused by heartless siblings,
deserted by your Dad, whose second wife
afflicted you with mercies scarcely tender.

Like a chimney sweep, you breathe dust
of countless fires, alone a luckless patsy,
yearning for a fairy god-mother
to bail you out of misery, you need a break.

You'd better learn there are no breaks
for those who wait, your only chance
is to break away, seize fortune's forelock,
abandon all the fairy tales.

Glass slippers won't get a girl much else
than ugly bunions. Step out, barefoot
if need be, to make it on your own,
let all the charming princes wait.

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