The Dark Gatherer
I first posted this in 2006, and wanted to repost (it’s one of my favourites) and say a huge thanks to UKAuthors, as seeing my work on the screen here and receiving comments and criticism has helped my writing no end.
(homage to Carol Ann Duffy’s polar opposite)
When you were small, your pudgy hands
moulded plasticine into sin,
an indication of
a growing hate
which darkened like a purple bruise
in your gaze –
hot passion, why?
The edge of your milk teeth always flashed
a glower of a growl after your smile.
Your chubby toes were cold when I tickled them,
your legs stamped a tantrum
when bed-time drew –
the oval of your soft jaw, spoilt.
Words cascaded like a flushed toilet,
murky, resonant with filth.
When asleep
a strangled teddy’s eyes bulged amber with brown flecks,
I could hear its cries.
Dark gatherer. You soared from hell
into my life, the fiery dragon by your bed
inflaming you,
and now you are black like an abyss,
the prejudice of the bigot, you scour
the night-time and sink in
like a predator,
cobaltite, culling, depraved and itching to pluck
the wings from butterflies.
Bloody hell, that is dark HaHa! ” a strangled teddys eyes” . Enjoyed the read Kat, where did it all come from?
Hi Mike, thank you for taking the time. Here is the inspiration, I just wanted to do the polar opposite. The Light Gatherer – by Carol Ann Duffy When you were small, your cupped palms each held a candlesworth under the skin, enough light to begin, and as you grew light gathered in you, two clear raindrops in your eyes, warm pearls, shy, in the lobes of your ears, even always the light of a smile after your tears. Your kissed feet glowed in my one hand, or I’d enter a room to see the corner you played in lit… Read more »
Should-be-my-agent Trevor – thank you! If you check my reply to Mike you should be able to see my inspiration. Poet Laureate Duffy wrote the poem I believe about her young daughter and it always touched me. There are also parents to children who aren’t so innocent – so that’s my poem.
Kim x
Kim
This is an exceptionally powerful piece of writing and one that I wish I had the ability to do. I have read it several times and each time, I take more from it. Super work all around!
blessings,
jolen
Thank you, Jolen. Much appreciated.
Kim x