LACED🍎

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"Hello my pretty", said a crackled greet,  
directed at a raven-haired young girl  
who sat to warm herself beside stone hearth  
in forest lodge, so very far from home.  
 
The stooped and warted visitor approached  
across the threshold o'er which she did walk  
and shuffled softly as to not disturb,  
with door ajar, fair one heard not a word.  
 
The fire's glow reveal'd the witch's form,  
who's toothless mouth was stretched into a grin,  
"What be the problem, why ye look so sad?  
 
With knitted brow, the dark-haired maiden sighed,  
and wrung her hands, looked up at her and cried:  
 
"Old woman, thank you for your words' concern,  
though I'm not downcast as you might expect.  
I'm mad as hell, and fit to do a deed  
that I'm not proud of, but it must be done!"  
 
The wizened woman dared sit next to her,  
with worried face, a hand upon her knee.  
"Then tell old granny, what possesses thee?    
Nay, have a care, please do confide in me."  
 
"Not only will I tell, but full confess.  
Come look at what I've done, it's such a mess!"  
 
The fragile-boned witch got up and stood by,  
next to a table with a baking pan.  
Already bent o'er, peered her face in close,  
"Mmm", took a sniff, "now what have ye got here?"  
 
"It's nothing I can have you taste," she sighed,  
"I've over-baked the lot, now what to do?"  
 
"What do ye call this, dear, it looks like tarts."  
and poked at one with fingernails like darts.  
 
The girl, grim:  
"I made a batch of cupcakes for my friend,  
now, he'll not want to kiss me, it's the end  
if I offer these burnt cakes to him!"  
 
The witch, still bent, reached deep into her pouch  
and pulled out a reflection of fire's light,  
to hold it up and show, to girl's delight.  
 
"Do ye know what this be, my pretty one?"  
The raven girl leaned in to see its glow,  
"It's red as deepest flame is all I know."  
 
The witch's mouth became a gentle smile,  
"Tis but a bright red apple that ye see.  
My very last, I gift it whole to thee."  
 
The raven girl received it in her hands,  
"I can't believe you're giving this to me!  
I've nothing I can give you in return,  
except the supper that I didn't burn."  
 
The witch went to a chair to sit back down,  
while raven tended to the baking pan.  
"And now I know how I will fix the cakes,  
to make them be the best I'd ever bake."  
 
So while the scent of cinnamon prevailed,  
as both did sit at table and inhaled,  
the friend, a tall young man, came to the door,  
the girl demurely offered him a chair.  
 
He said,  
"To you, my dear, I've brought you a small gift."  
And she said,  
"My thanks to you, you really are a prince!"  
The witch said,  
"With so much good food, may I help you dear?"  
The girl said,  
"You really are so kind, please pour the wine,  
and while you do, I'll dish up the first course."  
 
The evening passed as pleasant as you please,  
with vegetables & meat & bread & cheese.  
The young man rubbed his stomach, sitting back;  
 
"No finer repast ever touched these lips"  
said he,  
"I don't think I can eat another bite."  
 
Implored the witch,  
"But sir, thee must partake of dessert, please.  
Thy fairest friend hath made it just for thee."  
 
And so the raven-haired served everyone,  
the choc'late cakes with golden sauce appeared,  
the scent was sheer ambrosia to the nose,  
as if from ruby petals of a rose.  
 
And shortly after, leaving empty plates,  
the happy three laid out across the bed.  
'Twas then was heard afar a raven's caw,  
While slumber's deep eternity crept in.  
 
 
Oops.
 
 
 
 
Copyright ©2016 Jade Pandora. All Rights Reserved
 
This placed first in the DUP competition deviantly named "Evil Cupcake".  Fun!
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