.jpg)
(Editor’s note: The ease of language in this poem, and the way every word helps build a picture appealed to me. I can see every move and item. You’ll love it too. (I wrote this note when the poem was first published in 2021, and I think the same way now. (Kate))
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.
Comments