Chapter Text
I.
Once upon a time, a book said
A little boy read diligently
He thought of a plan from what he read
He asked her oh so innocently
Turning her world on its head
Needing her help urgently
Truth in the matter still to be seen
As the clock ticks to eight sixteen
II.
Once upon a time, a fairy tale end
Became the start of another hell
A fearsome curse she promised to send
Once she figured out the spell
Parental relationship on the mend
Although neither could tell
Happiness paid at a father’s grave
Mother hopes her child to save
III.
Once upon a time, true love fought
A stolen ring to a stolen heart
In the payment, something bought
Unbidden, flutter into a new start
Only a mother’s ring was actually sought
But something more plays its part
With soft words, a man does wake
Yet a deeper feeling cannot shake
IV.
Once upon a time, she made a wish
Trading in her mop and rag
For slippers of glass, a dress to swish
But the truth, cruel comes to drag
Hope gone, tampered to a squish
A way out, a hard thing to snag
She’ll find the strength to be a mother
Honesty given from one to another
V.
Once upon a time, a boy stole
Left feeling like he had no choice
But to play the part, fill his role
Trying to find his own voice
Theft and lies do take their toll
Daylight brings a way to rejoice
Find each other in moments of trust
In the coal mines of rubble and rust
VI.
Once upon a time, a shepherd boy
Had to stand to face unknowns
Prince stolen, felled, now a decoy
From dragonfire comes stones
Freedom paid, the king’s pawn, toy
Lack of choice felt in the bones
A man remembers what he did not know
Breaking innocent, heart of snow
VII.
Once upon a time, a hunter gave pause
Unable to make his kill
He had her cornered, out came the claws
But something about her made him still
Going against commanded laws
Ignoring the vengeful laws
For the Sheriff, it comes his time
Knowing the truth his only crime
VIII.
Once upon a time, a deal was made
Desperate to keep his son from war
Courage found, into foray do wade
Have to know what you’re fighting for
Debts mount up, a favour to be paid
A hero to admire, to adore
Though the mothers fight their tiff
One prevails to become Sheriff
IX.
Once upon a time, two kids got lost
With only a compass heirloom
The queen wants her way, whatever the cost
Even if it spells their doom
Out with no care, children are tossed
Separating them in their gloom
Outskirts, a man she does trick
So his children he does pick
X.
Once upon a time, she lost him
He was married to another girl
Her future without him looked grim
She sought a spell of misty pearl
The light of love she’s forced to dim
Love is twisted as it does unfurl
In the fairy tale she erases her pain
Till 7:45, lovers meet again
XI.
Once upon a time, a genie freed
Wanted what was not his to take
Her love became his only greed
For affections he did rake
Killing her king was his creed
She framed him with the snake
Funds stolen, playhouse for the town
Teacup spin makes her the clown
XII.
Once upon a time, there was a rose
Who came when he was in a dip
Feelings unknown, surface and arose
He tasted salvation on her sweet lip
Love is a manipulation of foes
Left with cold memories and a teacup chip
He would not let love break his curse
But heartbreak destroys much worse
XIII.
Once upon a time, a lie was told
Honour absolved in the affair
Something sparing turned so cold
Passerbys turn to whisper and stare
True love finds ways to break the mould
A truth held without a care
Claim love ruined your life
Deceiving the left out wife
XIV.
Once upon a time, a dreamer came
A smile as from an egg, hatch
From an axe he got his name
A fairy his heart did truly catch
Wanting to help her all the same
Even if station already did snatch
Raise funds through selling of candle
Community service best way to handle
XV.
Once upon a time, little girl Red
Left in the shadow of Granny’s scowl
In the deep of night the wolf bled
In the dark, a nightmare howl
A girl not in over her head
Find friendships in the foul
Learning to know when to run away
Makes it much easier to stay
XVI.
Once upon a time, now made heartless
Took away more than just pain
Rid of love, that last weakness
A tragedy she must now abstain
Before she loses all hope of happiness
A love forgotten, now won again
In one world she breaks a spell
Another, she breaks from her cell
XVII.
Once upon a time, a poor hatter
Went off by queen’s command
Leaving behind his poor daughter
Getting trapped in Wonderland
In reality, his mind now a scatter
Letting his head get out of hand
Desperate attempt to put to right
Keeping the Saviour in his sight
XVIII.
Once upon a time, a girl dated
Stable boy deemed below her station
For love she stood by and waited
Needing to escape a loveless situation
The princess young, manipulated
A heart broken out of desperation
Broken soul she must now carry
Time running out, do not tarry
XIX.
Once upon a time, a son’s return
Could be all he ever wanted
For his flesh and blood he did yearn
By his decision he was haunted
But the truth he comes to learn
By memories they are both taunted
The past is something they both grieve
Time running out for her to believe
XX.
Once upon a time, a boy of wood
Was sent to guide her true
His one mission was to be good
She refuses to see any clue
He fails to do as he should
Too late for truth to break through
Can’t break impregnable walls
Magic grows even as faith falls
XXI.
Once upon a time, a rescue fails
Diversion is the truer plan
An evil scheme at last prevails
Sacrifice made to save her man
Saviour refusing to believe in tales
Child proves truth only way he can
An apple poisoned, take a bite
Hope the spark, belief to light
XXII.
Once upon a time, a magic sleep
Belief does now begin
Finally, a benefit to reap
Send the hero to slay the dragon
Over her child she shall weep
True love’s the way to win
Pulse out, the curse does break
Into truth they shall now wake