Allerleirauh

[...] the king looked at her one day

that she resembled his deceased wife [...]

and he suddenly felt a great love for her.

                                           - J.&W. Grimm, 1812-

since mum died

he often cried in his sleep.

he thought I wouldn't hear it.

I stood outside the door

and wished

they were my tears.

my feet were getting cold.

one night

he opened the door

to find me on the corridor

with naked feet, in my nightdress.

he said I could

lie down

next to him

where my mother used to lie

and warm my feet

under the duvet

I lay down next to him

and warmed my feet

under the duvet

that he used to share

with my mum

he touched my face.

the winter was creeping

through the walls

of our castle

he said he would

warm me

so I wouldn’t fall ill

he took off my nightdress

to warm me

with his body

when he was finished

I went into to the bathroom

to wash off

the blood

between my legs