Friday, January 7, 2011

My Dear Little Red: An Original Fairy Tale Letter Poem


I was away for several days in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We had no Internet access in the timeshare where we were staying. I spent my time cooking, eating, reading, and talking with old friends. It was a great vacation…and a wonderful way to start off the New Year!

Here is another fairy tale poem from my unpublished collection Excerpts from the Fairy Tale Files. The poem was written in the form of a letter to Little Red Riding Hood from her grandmother.


My Dear Little Red,

Thanks for the basket of biscuits and bread,
Warm cinnamon buns and the buttery brie,
The thermos of piping hot peppermint tea.
And thanks for the visit. I’m sorry that you
Were swallowed, like me, by that nasty wolf too.
Why, he had been skulking around some time
Before he committed his dastardly crime.
Thanks heavens the huntsman, so nimble with knives,
Arrived just in time and saved both our lives.
Last week I installed a new cottage alarm.
Now that should ensure that I come to no harm.
Please come for a visit again very soon.
The food was delish!

All my love,
Grandma June



Click here to read Dear Goldilocks and some other letter poems.
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The Poetry Friday Roundup is at Live. Love. Explore! this week.

6 comments:

Irene Latham said...

What a fantastic idea for a series of poems! I can just imagine the fun of re-imagining these fairy tails. Thanks for sharing.

david elzey said...

i like, along with the other fairy tale poems. i'm sorry, is there some reason this collection isn't published?

i've recently been thinking about names, or their lack thereof, in fairy tales and i really liked that grandma got a name. i immediately wondered what red's last name was (or real first name for that matter).

another great share!

Elaine Magliaro said...

Thanks, Irene!

*****

David, I've never submitted my collection of fairy tale poems to a publsher. I'm hoping to get cracking this year and to send some of my manuscripts out. I do know that poetry is a hard sell.

One interesting note: I've sold a number of the poems that I've posted on this blog to anthologists and to publishers who produce literacy materials.

jama said...

What a delight! You know I love all your fairy tale poems -- but this one, with all the foods listed, was especially fun.

Good luck with your submissions this year :).

Ben Curran said...

Elaine, I like this poem and this form a lot. I just got done writing "Things to Do If..." poems with my class--an idea I borrowed from your blog. I might have to borrow this one, too. Thanks!!!

laurasalas said...

Love it, Elaine! Especially the brie and the nimble with knives huntsman!