Rapunzel: I Like the Quiet by Jeannine Hall Gailey in Farewell Issue, Journal of Mythic Arts, 2008 — Endicott Studio

Rapunzel: I like the Quiet

by Jeannine Hall Gailey


Solitude my solace, wrapped around me

like layers of golden hair. Stacks of books

and I can sing as loud as I please all day and night.

In sleep I kick and snore, during the day, delight

in eating nothing but radishes and lime leaf tea.

Who says I need a partner to dance? Here

in this tower I am mistress of all; the reindeer,

the knight’s armor teetering in the corner,

various discarded disguises, crowns,

crumbs and bones. Will you rescue me?

What kingdom will replace my bounty

of leisure, what tether of care and nurture

do you wish to rope my neck with?










About the Author:
Jeannine Hall Gailey's poems have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies including The Iowa Review, Rattle, The Columbia Poetry Review, The Seattle Review, Poetry Southeast, Verse Daily, The Year’s Best Fantasy & Horror, and the forthcoming Datlow/Windling anthology The Beastly Bride. She is the author of one collection, Becoming the Villainess, and one chapbook, Female Comic Book Superheroes. She lives in Seattle. For more information, please visit the author's website.

Copyright © 2008 by Jeannine Hall Gailey. This poem may not be reproduced in any form without the author's express written permission.



Farewell Issue   |   JoMA Poetry Archives