So, in the Halloween spirit, let's begin...
The Mistake
We cursed the dark
but woke the cold plague wind,
cracked summer's crypted spell,
talked the pretty into hell.
And the show begins.
Black cat's-paw on bleeding-stone;
two speakers in a field of bone
bite down a forgotten
kiss.
Whispers from the too-full skull
tongue the
pumpkin's cut-out hull,
but never the voice I miss.
~October 2017
Image: Lies and Persuasion, and detail thereof, ©Kris Kuksi, 2007 All rights reserved.
You can find more of Kris Kuksi's amazing work and his bio here at his website.
This is so much fun to read that if one is not careful, the horror and darkness are missed. All right, so the imagery paints a rather bloody picture, but the tone... the playfulness... makes it feel like a nursery rhyme married a spell and they birthed a child that lovely thing you in its arm, and kills you while smiling at you sweetly.... singing all "the pretty into hell."
ReplyDeleteLaughing--you SO get it, dear Magaly! Thanks, and thanks for playing again this week.
DeleteMy contribution is not very Halloween(y), but I think we'll get it there before the end of the month. Here it is:
ReplyDeletehttp://magalyguerrero.com/i-know-ink/
Love the way this is progressing--and I have to say, you really DO know ink!
DeleteDee-lightful. The shadows dancing in this Jacko's belly pantomine a liaison whose words cannot be channeled. Or have they ... We'll have to see what creeps up from the well this kick-ass 13th. The lines pick and jab and furrow an old harrow's blood hallow--juice the season adores. Great lead, Hedge.
ReplyDeleteFor my own I fatten the witch's prey:
https://blueoran.wordpress.com/2017/10/13/the-new-world/
Thanks, B--that image was impossible not to write to for me. AFA your own more historical horror story--nothing is more chilling than history told honestly, gewgaws of national fervor and flag/religion idolatry expunged. You are getting this form down and doing scary things with it, my friend. I couldn't be more pleased.
DeleteI have enough in just living in the 48205 to scare me Joy, Halloween is damn near an escape but then no one around here answers the door without a shotgun; that tends to kill the desire to french the too full skull.
ReplyDeleteA little later than usual
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2017/10/12/coping-detroit-crime/106576904/ BE IT ever so humble there ain't NO PLACE like this place.
Yes, the imaginary horrors are always the more romantic--real life is just terror that has to be lived with for too many people--what a chilling article, Mark--I lived for awhile in a similar neighborhood near the projects in Chicago, though this was back before the handgun explosion, and I couldn't get out fast enough. When life is brutal and empty and unfair, violence, turned both inward and outward, is the inevitable result. Stay safe, and thanks for writing today.
DeleteCricket is playing this week, too.
ReplyDeletehttps://cricketvigil.wordpress.com/2017/10/12/heart-beat/
thanks Hedge.
Deleteall, just so you know, I visit but don't really comment much, and don't expect anyone to comment on mine.
That's the policy here--no strings, no obligations. There are plenty of places to link for that sort of thing. Just glad you could be here.
DeleteJoy, your poem is so much more than a memento mori, with its imagery of skulls in the dying season. The human factor, the missing, comes through so strongly at the end. How we are tied to this life, with all the evidence of decay around us, when the one to whom we feel most strongly tied, may already have passed away.
ReplyDeleteHere is mine - another Curse of Caliban.
http://calibanandmiranda.blogspot.co.za/2017/10/curses-words.html
Thanks for providing the space to share.
Thanks, Kerry. Curses seem to have a bad habit of working both ways, don't they.. Your 55 is eloquent, and delicate even with its sharpest blade of loss and pain. I'm so glad you could join us on this day of presumed ill-omen, in a world much the same, where we strive to somehow salvage what we can--treasures like yours.
Delete"talked pretty into hell" and the last line did me in. And those images! Wow! I def have to go check that out; thanks for the directing sign on the straight and narrow highway. ;-)
ReplyDeleteMine is up and I demand that everyone visit AND comment. I will be by to lambast anyone who doesn't, and to shame them into being intrigued.
Happy Fri, the 13th, dear BFF!!!!!! :-)
Oops...
ReplyDeletehttp://fireblossom-wordgarden.blogspot.com/2017/10/space.html
Yes, if you intend to bring the serious lambasting, the link would help. :P You have really aced it with this one, one that would have Galen laughing out loud and making some equally hilarious comeback. But under the funny, always the serious. You are such a Gemini. ;) Thanks so much for playing, Shay, and best wishes for the mostest kickass weekend.
DeleteFab stuff as always. Am traveling so will pen when I land.
ReplyDeleteNo worries no hurries, and glad to have you (but I do turn into a pumpkin promptly on Sunday night. ;_))
DeleteSo here is my contribution. I loved reading your dance of playful demise.
Deletehttps://paulscribbles.wordpress.com/2017/10/14/moon-a-side/
I loved your hanging, burning moons, Paul. Thanks for making time for 55 in your kickassness this weekend.
DeleteOh wow, so delightfully dark. "talked the pretty into hell" Love that. Happy Friday the 13th!
ReplyDeletehttps://blackinkhowl.blogspot.com/2017/10/refusing-cinnamon.html
Thanks, Susie--I loved what you did with yours, and you chose the perfect pic to accompany it--so glad you could join us this week.
DeleteSuch a wonderful offering. I'm very grateful to be part of this event, and if you'll ahve me, my submission can be found here: http://braincrayons.blogspot.com/2017/10/55-words.html
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'm the equal of some of the people contributing, but I'm so happy to be taking part.
And I'm so happy to have you. Your 55 was excellent, on point, and delivered in a very original way. Thanks for joining us!
DeleteHey, hey everyone. Happy Friday. Hope you all have a great weekend.
ReplyDeletehttps://angieinspired.wordpress.com/2017/10/14/for-the-best/
Can't help but have a great weekend with a 55 like this--thanks for joining in the spirit of things, angie.
DeleteYou do a mean 55
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shadow--and for your constant reading and support over the years as well.
DeleteOh, that's a great, Halloweenie 55.
ReplyDeleteIn the spririt of the G and the 13th here's 55 for you:
Rain spits
wind bites
ravens mutter in your wake
you fell from grace
when you wouldn’t embrace
the world’s darker side
batwing kisses on your cheek
soft as cobwebs, cool as corpses
with a thimbleful of dust
and misplaced trust
the carrion carries
your tongue away
as the children sing
ashes, ashes
we all
fall…
And a kick-ass weekend to one and all.
I love it, Mary! Thanks for adding 55 extremely creeped out words to the Friday 13th 55--'soft as cobwebs/cool as corpses.." you know this right up my dark alley. And a kickass remainder of the weekend to you, girl.
DeleteThanks Joy. And thanks so much for doing this!
DeleteLoves ya, Hedgie! Rock on and keep on kickin' ass! :)
ReplyDelete