This Halloween I am the bearer
Of a tiny tale of terror
Cloaked in gloom, I am the wearer
Gallows grin and red-eyed starer
Building screams in throats, I’m snarer
Time to leave – or stay in error!
In her ear a planted borer
Grinding jaws, consuming horror
Laying claim, brain’s apple-corer
Merciless, doom comes for her
Unless a cure can restore her
Fetch the witch! She has the cure!
Promise moon and more as lure
At last a knock, here from the moor
The poultice reeks of green manure
It draws the beast with blood and gore
Wriggling squeaks, then moves no more
Mlady now rests, fitful snores
Many months of health and cheer
Forgotten promised moon and more
Tonight a knocking at the door…
Today I’m trying a new form, created by Judy Dykstra-Brown called the Sylvestrian Near Rhyme. It consists of six stanzas, the first with 6 lines and each thereafter one less line. Each line in each stanza rhymes with all the other lines in that stanza and each stanza’s rhyme is a near rhyme to the last. The name describes both the theme and form. I stuck to the rhymes and near-rhymes pretty closely.
For the older readers, you’ll recognize The Crypt Keeper from the old TV series Tales from the Crypt. Star Trek fans will recognize this scene from one of the best-remembered (by me) Star Trek movies, “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.”
This was such a fun form to use, especially for a spooky Halloween story. I urge you to give it a try, then link it in the comments section!
Getting chills here!
“Cloaked in gloom, I am the wearer
Gallows grin and red-eyed starer”
I really, really loved these lines. The rhyme scheme is perfect (and I never heard of this form before, may give it a try if I’m feeling brave enough to sometime). I love the stories you weave in your poetry, especially with how it’s structured. There’s always delicacy and care in your words. Of course, I also adore the darkness of this piece and I have to say in some lines, it can read like a spell!
To be concise, your poem is amazing. ❤ ❤
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Lucy, many thanks to you. I hope you do try the form. I tried to make it scary but also familiar like a fairy tale.
Also while I’m thinking of it, I will have to pass on writing a chapter of your book, at least for now. Not enough time to catch up on the story and add to it. Maybe this winter, if you still have it going!
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You’re welcome.
And that is a-okay. I completely understand! 🙂
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🙂
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The pace is perfect. Promising the moon…that’s a great expression. (K)
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Thanks, K. I had a dream last night that gave me an idea for a collage. Am hoping to do it tomorrow and post it with a poem at dVerse tomrorrow. No doubt it’s a “message from home.”
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Great! looking forward to it.
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I could imagine some English guy reading this from a red velvet chair. It’s really good Lisa.
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LOL Thank you, Max, high praise!
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You deserved it.
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