The Paddock Review

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A Poem by Danielle Blinka

Happily, Never

…..

I grew up in a world

of happily never after,

where the shoe never fits,

a frog stole my kiss,

and the prince

ignored me

waving on the shore

alone

without a voice.

…..

I searched

for my fairy Godmother,

a savior

for my poor

unfortunate soul —

but found 

empty words, broken

promises.

…..

With my own hands,

I built a castle, 

each carved stone

a crown.

….

This poem is from the chapbook So the Light Stays by Danielle Blinka (Finishing Line Press) and can be found at https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/so-the-light-stays-by-danielle-blinka/

So the Light Stays considers the emotions and vignettes that make life unique and wonderful, juxtaposed against the experience of grief. These poems cover a range of experience, including loss, coping with chronic pain, bad dates, fearless independence, and learning to love yourself. They are at the same time a triumphant expression of self and a mournful ode to all we lose as life unfurls itself.


Danielle Blinka is a poet, writer, podcaster, artist, and performer. Her poetry has appeared in Pulse Magazine and has been featured in Houston’s Words + Art. She’s also written for wikiHow, Rare Houston, the Boomtown Film & Music Festival, and several blogs. In addition to poetry, she’s completed a young adult novel. Danielle earned a BA in English, a BA in Political Science, an MA in English, and an MPA. She currently lives in Houston, TX.