Martin Robertson

Now and Then

End of Fairy-Story

All tasks done, spells are taken off

and happy now lives ever after.

Beyond sound of Time’s warning cough

all tasks done, spells are taken off

this shimmering crest which knows no trough.

Since princess meeting prince cried, laughed “Are

all tasks done?”, spells are taken off

and happy now lives ever after.

All spells but this?  Must this spell too

be loosed by Time, the timeless victor?

We loved Time, watching him undo

all spells but this.  Must this spell too

his scissor-fingers picking through

dissolve?  Shall all spells be unpicked, or

all spells but this?  Must this spell too

be loosed by Time, the timeless victor?