Rapunzel was always my favorite princess.
I never understood why.
Then I grew up—and realized why.
She grew up caged in a castle,
Like I did—guarded to imperfection.
“The world is cruel,”
Mother Gothel used to say.
“Don’t go out—they’ll eat you alive,”
Mine would whisper the same way.
And oh, her long, untamed hair—
She never knew what to do with it.
Just like me with my thoughts,
Wondering, how to carry my mind?
Rapunzel was my favorite princess.
Growing up, I realized that’s why.