Last Chapter

pages fade, turned one too many times
sharp paper cuts slice to reality
through the convoluted story line
though I have it dog-eared many times over
the characters remain unfamiliar
taking unexpected turns
where the path trails away
and I don't have the next chapter

flipping back a couple pages
I realize this isn't the same book
I started out reading
the Wicked Witch eats a granny
and the Wolf hunts for slippers
while the Hatter is leaving breadcrumbs
and Gretel considers the letter M

I find I'm chained to this story
though continually placed on the shelf
I wake up to find it under my pillow
again and again I trace my fingers over
the scrawling patterns of script
but the message never changes, never strays
just keep reading, don't skip ahead
the last chapter has yet to be written