Tell Me A Story

There is only one correct response
to the demand, “Tell me a story,”

and it should begin with the words,
“Once upon a time.”

So: 
tell me a story.

~~

I am waiting.  I know
this pause will not last.  Think, recall, feel

how you left home or first fell 
into a lover’s eyes;

how you first came
to know fear, ecstatic trembling, rain.

It’s there.  Even if it’s familiar
to all, it’s what is asked of you.

~~

“Once upon a time…” Why only once?
Explain just that and it will do. For now.

A story remains the sweetest way 
to go from here to there.

“Once upon a time…” Begin, and the end will appear.
Launch or tumble, the end will appear.

“Tell me a story.”  You’re sitting
and nothing comes to you?  What — are you a log?

Even a log has cuts and splits.
Even a log has rings and burls. 

“Tell me a story.”  You’re sitting
as if a sword was about to be pulled from a stone.

Yes, that’s momentous, but you could speak of the grip.
You could tell us what the weather is like there.

~~

“Tell me a story.”  “Once upon a time.”
There to ensure we never stop talking.

Once upon a time there was an annoyance
only curable by the application of narratives.

If I tell you that story,
will you fall back to sleep until morning?

~~

Note, finally, that there has been
no mention of “ever after.”

This is because it’s of no importance
to the Journey.  You may disagree.

If you tell me a story and can prove me wrong,
I will love you ever after.