Deceived By Appearances Poem by Louise Tredoux

The father asked his children what they wanted
as he left on his travels, all things expensive,
chorused they, except Beauty, who asked for
a single rose instead

As he dined in a deserted palace, wondering
who his host could be, he saw a rose and picked
it for his humble Beauty, and that brought
the Beast thundering down on him

How dare you pick my roses after my hospitality? -
he boomed, only on the father promising he would
return with Beauty if she came willingly, did
the Beast allow him to depart

At home the father gave the rose and ultimatum to
Beauty, said he was willing to return alone and face
his fate as the Beast required, but Beauty said
it was her fault he picked the rose

And went with him willingly; faced daily with an ugly
Beast while dreaming of a handsome prince, she
refused to marry him till he lay dying and she
realized she did love him

Promised a wedding and the Beast revived, turning
into the handsome prince she had dreamt about,
never be deceived
by appearances…