Hansel and Gretel: whose middle name was Millennial

Once upon a time

a small village had become

accustomed to the sounds of development,

and the importance of income.

 

It was difficult to rent,

for the price was too high.

The younger generation laughed

at properties sign-posted 'To buy'.

 

So Hansel and Gretel decided,

to their old father's dismay,

to leave the wretched place,

too expensive to stay.

 

Toward the forest they turned,

with hope in their eyes,

clutching plastic bottles,

as they said their goodbyes.

 

Upon approaching the trees

Gretel turned and said,

"Lay the first bottle, brother,

as before with the bread."

 

So behind them they left, 

in hindsight so rash,

what seemed so very useful,

a pathway of trash.

 

They walked and they walked,

leaving their trail all the time.

Then, after a while,

something strange they did find.

 

A familiar clearing,

that much was so.

Yet the ground was charred

and nothing did grow.

 

No creatures lived here,

the siblings soon learned.

No plant life either,

for everything had burned.

 

Then Hansel noticed,

not so far away,

the remains of a house

where a witch used to stay.

 

The old hag's hut,

once so magical and sweet,

was but a sticky puddle.

It hadn't withstood the heat.

 

The siblings looked about,

hoping upon hope,

that something was left standing,

how else would they cope?

 

They looked up and around,

seeing nothing for miles,

but smog in the sky

the sickly colour of bile.

 

Hansel cried to his sister,

"What have they done?"

"Us too," she replied.

"Look at the trail we have run!"

 

In this once great forest

there was nothing to be found,

save the rustle of plastic bags

and bottles on the ground.