why is it that

"once upon a time"

has to be a time 

about finding a man?

 

tell me about cinderella's first kiss

a secret shared with the girl from school

they never told another soul

and savored the moment forever

 

tell me about rapunzel's art

how she found solace in the brush strokes

and how she found even her loneliness

could be something beautiful and good

 

tell me about ariel's curiosity

not for the boy from the surface

but her incredible eye for beauty 

in the world she was not meant to see

 

tell me about aurora's sharp mind

her shrewd assessment of everything 

but also of her kindness and generosity

to even the strangest of strangers 

 

tell me about jasmine's leadership

how even without aladdin 

she was the greatest ruler 

agrabah would ever see

 

"once upon a time"

should not be the princess meeting her prince

but instead should be of her

and the inspiration she holds