#CoffinHop Day 4: Dark Poetry Corner

It’s time for my poetry corner, where I dig out the dark shards of inspiration…

These two poems were originally slated to appear in Fairy Tale Fusion, but alas didn't make the final cut.  But you do get to enjoy them as part of Coffin Hop.

Little Red Riding Hood... Don’t Go into the Woods

Once upon that haunted time,

a land flowed bitter in foul crime.

The woods, such a dangerous place,

travellers learned to quicken their pace.

One day, a girl with a hood of red

went off to Grandma, who lay abed.

The young lass was charming, but plain

with modest sense and little brain.

She went unaware, through the woods,

bearing her Granny a basket of goods.

While the Wolf Clan tracked every tread

their vile intentions to inspire deep dread.

Poor old Granny they dispatched

and a wicked plot straight away hatched.

Gullible Girl Red stepped into a trap,

that Wolf Clan scheme to kidnap.

She disappeared from the world that day;

there was no Huntsman to help her stay.

She ended in a dank, dark pit,

roasting on the Wolf Clan spit.

Briar Rose

A curse, time and beauty enfold her fate...

Smoke and dark magic

waft in the ether

as a small baby cries

her first breath.

Darkness rises, tendrils curling, entwining...

The past cannot be hidden,

hate seeks retribution.

Blood calls to blood,

even ichor black as pitch.

On the first moon the blight is cast to fall...

A singular unwelcome guest

spewing sins and venom.

The noxious web begins,

the magic spun along the path.

One prick upon the finger, a drop of blood...

A dream of immortality

as she slumbers, imprisoned

behind walls of razor thorns

fed by princely flesh and bone.

A rider comes, the destined last hunter...

Following the fabled prize.

He prevails, a quest fulfilled

her dreams disturbed with a kiss.

And her life becomes his,

still not her own...

This next poem appears in the Twisted Shorties II anthology (free on Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/329697 ):

In the Mirror

Reflection of light, illusion in grey,

Oh, mirror, mirror tell me true,

Who is fated to die this day?

A flicker of magic, come what may,

for kings, princes, and courtiers too,

Reflection of light, illusion in grey.

I smile, I laugh, with words betray,

Should I whisper that spell anew?

Who is fated to die this day?

A timely curse, enchantments sway;

Pawns that topple, and blood I drew.

Reflection of light, illusion in grey.

Have your children gone astray?

Perhaps a part of someone’s stew?

Who is fated to die this day?

Witches are calling, come join the fray,

To pirouette with Death, will you?

Reflection of light, illusion in grey.

Who is fated to die this day?

Thanks for reading, and be sure to comment, as one person who leaves a comment will be picked at random to win a free e-copy (via Smashwords) of my book, Reflections of Poetry.

Hope you enjoyed this shadowy sojourn, please continue down the dark road and visit some of the other hoppers  (scroll down, way down, to find the list) and don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter Contest (see below).

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