Friday, January 27, 2012

The Ballad of Lonesome Lake

Baby’s softly sleeping
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.
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23 comments:

  1. The Clever PupJanuary 27, 2012 at 5:16 PM

    Holy! Gashlycrumb Tinies meet Ira Levin.

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  2. Kathy B.January 31, 2012 at 3:39 PM

    Posted to dVerse Poets at http://dversepoets.com/

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  3. Sky Raft WandererJanuary 31, 2012 at 4:44 PM

    I have to echo the Gashlycrumb Tinies comment.

    This is just so good. So much fun to read.

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  4. Audrey Howitt aka DivaloungerJanuary 31, 2012 at 4:55 PM

    As grisly as it is, it is a fun read!

    @AudreyHowitt

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  5. angeliqueJanuary 31, 2012 at 4:57 PM

    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.

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  6. Brian MillerJanuary 31, 2012 at 6:29 PM

    this just sings...yes it is dark but dang it sings...smiles.

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    Replies
    1. Brian MillerOctober 27, 2013 at 1:39 PM

      really nice....did not remember this one...but the cadence of the lines is spot on...and still it sings....great story telling as well...

      Delete
  7. FireblossomJanuary 31, 2012 at 7:02 PM

    Mercy. I'll find a different sitter. Yes, I'm sure!

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  8. iggyn8usJanuary 31, 2012 at 10:07 PM

    Nice, sounding like a lullaby and a devil in it. How else could it end? Very impressed in the raw verse!

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  9. Laurie KolpFebruary 1, 2012 at 10:07 AM

    So poetic and rhythmic... and with a somber mood... fantastic, Kathy!

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  10. Buddah MoskowitzFebruary 1, 2012 at 11:29 AM

    Wow! This is a real kick in the gut! The childlike verse undercuts the narrative. Whew! I want my mommy now! Good job.

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  11. hedgewitchFebruary 1, 2012 at 9:42 PM

    Yeesh. Schizophrenic lullabye. Quite the poetic mallet here...and some grisly black humor.

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  12. Eve RedwaterFebruary 2, 2012 at 4:53 AM

    So rhythmic and dark! I love it!

    Eve

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  13. Other MaryFebruary 2, 2012 at 1:53 PM

    This gives me shivers. Great rhythm, as stated above, beautifully done. A 'Shutter Island' sort of lullaby.

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  14. ZouxzouxFebruary 8, 2012 at 11:36 PM

    Wow! I normally don't care for poetry that rhymes but this is just a fantastic, dark story. I'm impressed.

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  15. poetrydiaryFebruary 11, 2012 at 1:33 PM

    I find this very strong and sad, I feel for the mother, which makes this a successful poem I think.

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  16. ClaudiaOctober 27, 2013 at 1:28 PM

    ugh... this made my breath stop... the details like her tying her hair into a steady knot gave me additional shivers..

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  17. brudbergOctober 27, 2013 at 2:29 PM

    Oh Kathy.. brilliant but dark.. just cause those red eyes.

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  18. Mystic_MomOctober 27, 2013 at 3:19 PM

    Yikes! Good though. :-)

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  19. Ginny BrannanOctober 27, 2013 at 6:24 PM

    Shades of "Rosemary's Baby!" An eerie tale indeed!

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  20. SusanOctober 28, 2013 at 9:46 AM

    Ouch. Darkness reigns.

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  21. Kathy ReedOctober 28, 2013 at 1:20 PM

    Oh dear, a really gruesome tale..I may have to pass it on it's so good!

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  22. AtreyeeOctober 28, 2013 at 3:15 PM

    Eeps!How gory but devilishly wicked!Loved it:-)

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