stream of whatever bedtime story

Once upon a time
In a little brook over the little hill
White with asphodel

A little eel made her way among the reeds.

She was the daughter of a great king
A mighty general among the hordes
Of Eel-people who lived many years

Oh so many many years

Before we were a twinkle in a star.

And now the mean old witch
Who loved her dearly
And raised her since she was a tiny fry
Was now dying of cancer
And all the village in the deep crystal brook
Wept at her imminent passing.

She bade them not to cry
In the harshest way she could
(Because she had a reputation to keep)
But also lest they miss her.

But the princess did not cry for
She knew
That all things were one

And in trillions of years hence
They would meet again.


Though perhaps in none so elegant a form
As the noble, protean Eel.