Brother and Sister

by Terri Windling


do you remember, brother

those days in the wood

when you ran with the deer

falling bloody on my doorstep at dusk

stepping from the skin

grateful to be a man

and do you know, brother

just how I longed

to wrap myself in the golden hide

smelling of musk

blackberries and rain

tell me that tale

give me that choice

and I'll choose speed and horn and hoof

give me that choice

all you cruel, clever fairies

and I'll choose the wood

not the prince












About the Author:
Terri Windling is a writer, painter, editor, and the founder of the Endicott Studio. For more information, visit her bio page. This poem was inspired by the fairy tale Brother and Sister.

Copyright © 1995 by Terri Windling. The poem first appeared in The Armless Maiden, published by Tor Books, and subsequently appeared in The Poets’ Grimm: 20th Century Poems from Grimms Fairy Tales, published by Story Line Press. It may not be reproduced in any form without the author’s express written permission.

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