I play a dirge
dark as a death wish,
and the snakes come.
Long and smooth
like my own venomous veins,
they are flasks with forked tongues
tipped to my lips
exchanging
poison for poison.
No snake remains charmed for long
when the moon is out
before the sun has had the grace to set.
No woman hacks a flute from bone
just to die
a sad story at the edge of the river.
There are apples to be gathered.
Tipped to my lips
exchanging poison for poison.
19 comments:
LOL! Playing a bone flute?
(Sorry, just couldn't resist!)
Love your take on the painting...a dirge played draws out the serpents...It sounds like the mysteries of Eden...good write
Wow! When I got to the end of the third stanza I thought it was complete...how could you add anything to that? But you did, and the second part rocked too! I love this one!
Geez. You could have had a V-8.
I cam only say, a superb poem!
while the instrument plays
"No woman hacks a flute from bone
just to die a sad story at the edge of the river" and "exchanging poison for poison" are my favorites. A little poison goes a long way. No one wants to drown in it.
It fascinates me the many directions we each find within the same image, transforming exquisitely each one.
Your words are biting, spurting poison deep within the veins. Stunning write.
Quite simply . . one of this week's gems.
Very interesting poem...
"exchanging poison for poison" si my fav line:)
Poison for poison! Now you're talking!!
fantastic poem !!!!!
Sounds like the booze talking - or rather, chanting, the way it does, up from the vents when moonlight makes it all look so easy. "Poison for poison," indeedy - but you don't have to swallow. - B
'before the sun has had the grace to set' .... your poem is one of my favorites this week!
Excellent poem.
Anna :o]
Exquisitely woven words....an Eden feel, my perception.
A delight to read - thank you.♥
visual imagery, beautiful magpie.
Love how this sounds!
Missed this, Mz--I like the juju and the poison apple much. This is just a witchy picture, no getting around it.
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