Editor’s note: The ease of language in this Throwback Thursday poem, and the way every word helps build a picture appealed to us. We can see every move and item, and we think you’ll enjoy it, too.
Not every maiden Who accepted the strange little man’s deal Discovered his name (Rumpelstiltskin) Facing the threat Of losing their newborn child The cruel imp spending their labour Standing in the corner Of the royal birthing chamber Rubbing his hands with glee But, a quick-thinking midwife Can still provide a win At the very last moment Slipping a warming pan into blankets Bundled up like a babe Handing it over “Is this what you wanted?” “Yes! Yes!” clapping with delight (Words seal the deal) Mother sobs as the little man vanishes Then, midwife smiles Hands over newborn child…
DJ Tyrer is the person behind Atlantean Publishing, and has been published in issues of The Horrorzine, Illumen, Sirens Call, Spectral Realms, Star*Line, and Tigershark, and online at Lonesome October, and Three Drops from a Cauldron. SuperTrump and A Wuhan Whodunnit are available to download from the ATLANTEAN PUBLISHING website. He also has a personal BLOG. Image by Arthur Rackham
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