A long time ago, in a faraway land,

lived a freckled little girl, whose life less than grand,

had yearned for acceptance, to fit in, and be loved,

had no idea of the treasures above.

She grew up believing in things that weren’t true,

things that someday would make her so blue,

And hidden the truth for so many years,

That when the truth came out, she broke down in tears.

Then one day a Prince came and offered her Peace,

bright sunshine, full moons, birds singing in trees.

"Away with your pain, it’s happiness you’ll get"

(A promise the little girl, someday, would regret).

So, away she rode with the Prince, on a horse,

Not a moment of sadness, no twinge of remorse.

A new life she had lived, much happiness she found,

Gifts from the Prince made her life quite abound.

A mask she wore, her true self she hid,

She’d forgotten who she was, when she was a kid.

Each mask represented a different person outside,

for all of her pain she had wanted to hide.

Her life now a lie, no part of it truth,

The Prince took her true self, and turned her uncouth.

Love for another had soon disappeared,

Her life more important, herself she had reared.

Destruction and troubles, she now had plenty.

Morals and values, she didn’t have any.

Her way of survival she now viewed as being,

Justifiable and rational in a world so mean,

For if you had her troubles, surely you’d understand

That you’d find all you needed in this faraway land,

Where the Prince helped you cope, with pains of the past,

By cutting the chains, freedom yours, alas!

For eighteen years, the Prince ruled her life.

Each year that went by, he added more strife.

And this faraway land, where she once felt so safe,

Had become full of fire, a terrible place,

The price now so high, it could cost her life.

She’d have to give all, and become the Prince’s wife.

To live in this land, she’d have to give up others,

Her mother, her father, her sisters and brothers,

And what about the daughter she’d had along the way,

Who’d gone on the trip with never a say,

Who’d seen all the sadness, the torment, and grief,

Who’d lived all the pain in disbelief.

"This price is too steep, you’re asking a lot.

If I stay in this place, I surely will rot.

You promised me sunshine, full moons, and birds singing,

But sadness and pain are all you’ve been giving."

The Prince replied," It was your choice to make,

You wore all the masks and became someone fake.

For you hated yourself, wanted to change who you were.

With my help, your pain has become a big blur."

True, the Prince took my sadness, his ways at first worked,

But as the years went by, he was someone who lurked.

He hid and he waited, his face rarely seen,

And at my moment of weakness, he became very mean.

He’d stripped all my pride, my morals and values.

"To live in this land, it’s all part of your dues,

For nothing comes free, there’s always a price.

Do you think I gave freely? Just to be nice?"

I knew right then I must have been wrong,

That all the Prince gave was a dance and a song,

To lure me away, to help in his fight,

How could I be so stupid? In his ways delight?

So away I flew to a new faraway land,

Where the sunshine was real, the full moons quite grand,

Where a King ruled the land, and gave all that you needed,

And never once asked for your heart to be bleeded.

"Come with me," the King said, "You’ll have peace in your heart,

And loving yourself, you soon will start.

I’ll take all your sadness, and replace it with glee,

And lost, alone, you never will be."

"But how can I trust you? I’ve heard this before,

And to live where I’ve lived, I want no more.

I’d like to believe you, could you show me a sign?

To show me you’re true? And your love freely mine?"

He appeared before her and stretched out His hands.

"Long ago I was crucified in a foreign land,

For you, my child, and many another,

Your mother, your father, your sister, and brothers."

Her heart filled with joy, she could hardly believe,

She was standing with Jesus, in her heart, she did grieve,

For many a year, she had stayed far away,

From the God she had heard was always the same.

"Don’t cry, my child, it’s forgiveness you’ll get.

Look back at your past and never regret,

For it brought you back to my loving arms,

Where forever I’ll keep you, safe, from all harm."