Cinderella in the street <br />In a ragged gown, <br />Sloven slippers on her feet, <br />Shames our tidy town; <br />Harsh her locks of ashen grey, <br />Vapour vague her stare, <br />By the curb this bitter day <br />Selling papers there. <br /> <br />Cinderella once was sweet, <br />Fine and lily fair, <br />Silver slippers on her feet, <br />Ribands in her hair; <br />Solid men besought her hand, <br />Tart was she as quince, <br />Living in a fairy land, <br />Waiting for a Prince. <br /> <br />Days went by and years went by, <br />Wistful wan was she; <br />Heedless of a mother's sigh, <br />Of a lover's plea; <br />On her lips a carol gay, <br />In her heart a dream - <br />Soon the Prince would come her way, <br />Gallant and agleam. <br /> <br />Then at last she learned the truth, <br />How her hope was vain; <br />Gone her beauty, gone her youth, <br />Leaving want and pain. <br />See! she's waiting all alone; <br />Hark! you hear her cry <br />Papers by the cold curb-stone, <br />Begging you to buy. <br /> <br />Winter winds are waxing chill, <br />Clouds rack overhead; <br />Cinderella will be ill, <br />Bye and bye be dead. <br />Yet she kept her vision clear, <br />To Romance was true, <br />Holding him forever dear <br />Whom she never knew. <br /> <br />* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * <br /> <br />Cinderellas of to-day <br />Take no chance of loss; <br />When a good guy comes your way, <br />Nail him to the cross. <br />Let some ordinary cuss <br />Your coy heart convince; <br />Never miss the nuptial bus <br />Waiting for a Prince.<br /><br />Robert William Service<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/cinderella-3/
