Momma’s fast awake
This time she hears the Devil
Cross the lonesome lake.
Momma clutches Baby
Cold in every pore
Hears Devil hooves a-scraping
Cross the wooden floor.
Baby wakes up crying
Momma strokes his head
Feels Devil horns a-growing
Sees eyes of crimson red.
She backs into the table
Takes the skillet pan
Cries, “Devil, leave my Baby!”
Smites him best she can.
Now Baby isn’t sleeping
Baby cannot wake
Baby’s head is sticky like
Syrup on a cake.
Momma ties her hair up
In a steady knot
Waiting for the angels
By sweet Baby’s cot.
Image: Hangman's Tree, by Przemysław Pielecki.
Holy! Gashlycrumb Tinies meet Ira Levin.
ReplyDeletePosted to dVerse Poets at http://dversepoets.com/
ReplyDeleteI have to echo the Gashlycrumb Tinies comment.
ReplyDeleteThis is just so good. So much fun to read.
As grisly as it is, it is a fun read!
ReplyDelete@AudreyHowitt
Oh, this is great to read, and so dark and light. Love the pattern, and "Baby's head is sticky like/Syrup on a cake." So fun.
ReplyDeletethis just sings...yes it is dark but dang it sings...smiles.
ReplyDeletereally nice....did not remember this one...but the cadence of the lines is spot on...and still it sings....great story telling as well...
DeleteMercy. I'll find a different sitter. Yes, I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteNice, sounding like a lullaby and a devil in it. How else could it end? Very impressed in the raw verse!
ReplyDeleteSo poetic and rhythmic... and with a somber mood... fantastic, Kathy!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is a real kick in the gut! The childlike verse undercuts the narrative. Whew! I want my mommy now! Good job.
ReplyDeleteYeesh. Schizophrenic lullabye. Quite the poetic mallet here...and some grisly black humor.
ReplyDeleteSo rhythmic and dark! I love it!
ReplyDeleteEve
This gives me shivers. Great rhythm, as stated above, beautifully done. A 'Shutter Island' sort of lullaby.
ReplyDeleteWow! I normally don't care for poetry that rhymes but this is just a fantastic, dark story. I'm impressed.
ReplyDeleteI find this very strong and sad, I feel for the mother, which makes this a successful poem I think.
ReplyDeleteugh... this made my breath stop... the details like her tying her hair into a steady knot gave me additional shivers..
ReplyDeleteOh Kathy.. brilliant but dark.. just cause those red eyes.
ReplyDeleteYikes! Good though. :-)
ReplyDeleteShades of "Rosemary's Baby!" An eerie tale indeed!
ReplyDeleteOuch. Darkness reigns.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, a really gruesome tale..I may have to pass it on it's so good!
ReplyDeleteEeps!How gory but devilishly wicked!Loved it:-)
ReplyDelete