Why Can't I?
Disclaimer: I don't own EA's song Shalott, Les Mis's In my Life, or Rapunzel. Boom.
"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!"
Thus was the cry of the witch every morning, noon, and evening, and every morning, noon, and evening, Rapunzel would let her long golden braid dangle out the window of the ivory Tower, inviting the witch to climb up.
And that was what she did.
However, soon Rapunzel became lonely.
She couldn't recall what it was like to feel the wind on her back or to hear the birds sing so near her, or even what a soothing voice in her ear sounded like. All those feelings had been snatched away from her at exactly age thirteen, when the Tower had come into existence.
And she often dreams of escape.
For she's half sick of shadows.
She wants to see the sky.
Everyone else can watch as the sun goes down.
Why can't I?
Rapunzel ponders this carefully. She doesn't find an answer.
Why can't I?
She didn't dare ask the witch. No. She'd ask herself.
Why can't I?
She looks out the window, and sees small droplets of water pelting the glass relentlessly.
It's raining.
She imagined the world inside her falling apart. The stars are falling; the ground is splitting open, and the wind chills. The wind is cold.
I want to live.
"Why can't I live?" Rapunzel murmurs. "I can't stay here. I cannot face another night." She continues, her voice gradually rising. "Here I'm half sick of shadows, I want to see the sky! Everyone else can watch as the tide comes in. WHY CAN'T I?!" she screams, banging her fists on her small table.
I've been waiting four whole years in this... this living...
Why can't I see the sky? Why can't I watch the sea? Why can't I leave and do what I wish? She stared grimly out the window.
And there, riding past the ivory Tower, was a man.
Immediately Rapunzel's breath catches in her throat. As soon as she sees him, she knows she has wanted him. She has dreamed of him.
"That man will be my death," she whispers. "He's what I want."
Can people really fall in love so fast?
If they can, why do they?
And do all young women get their happy ending?
Rapunzel sits down to her piano, making sure it's in tune. Then she starts playing, like she always does when she feels terrible.
Suddenly the man's face drifts into her mind again, and she bangs down on the keys, creating a jumbled, loud effect.
He doesn't know your name.
"I could tell him," Rapunzel mutters through gritted teeth.
All the girls are probably the same to him- prizes to be won.
"Shut up!"
You must get out of here.
"I know!" Rapunzel bangs down again. What is wrong with her? Why is she acting so strange?
Rapunzel got up from her chair and stares out the window again. She had to get out of this place.
It's still raining.
I don't care.
I'm leaving.
She doesn't stop to think. She just acts.
Opening the window and throwing her hair out, Rapunzel hooks it securely on the hook next to the window. She puts one leg out the window.
I've been waiting for this day.
She laughs, finally free, one step closer.
She puts the other leg out, sitting on the ledge.
And she starts to rappel down.
The wind pounds at her back. It's cold. It feels wonderful.
"I can!" she screams.
Then her hands let go.
"No!" Rapunzel makes a wild grab for the braid and misses. The hair slides out of its place and falls, pulling her with it, screaming.
Why can't I?
Everyone else can watch as their dreams die and wither.
Why can't I?
And she hit the ground.