Faerie Tale

Once upon a time there was a once upon a time &
Once upon a time there was no once upon a time &
the faeries and dragons were called to sort out
whether innocence, ignorance or the check-out line
at mega-mega-super-mart
was better for our species.

The faeries sent out hardy scouts
but the dragons found them out.
The faeries held their scabbards high &
dragons spat into the sky and wondered where the swords were.

All banged and thrashed and fought it out
a boom, a crash, a flail, a clout,
till all the faeries climbed aboard
the dragons' backs and sank their swords.

Once upon a time there was time&
Once upon a time there was no time &
all gave a shout, the fires went out
but the dragons then turned inside out!
And all who'd dared upon their backs to ride
found themselves trussed up inside!
The clash was over, the heavens quieted,
no faeries left to be beknighted,
no dragons either to share their fire,
dreadfully punctured, they soon expired.

Once there was time &
Once there was no time&
ignorance? innocence? or the check-out line?