Premiere Contest WinnerA Rattling Rhyme

Ride of the Scarecrow Clan

(To: Mittens) 

She was born in the corn on a cold misty morn,
the most beautiful cat on the farm.
(I must keep her from coming to harm!)
The most beautiful kitty inspired this ditty
with whiskers that whisper her charm,
wild white whiskers that whisper her charm. 

But the angels grew jealous, much too overzealous,
they schemed up a dastardly plan,
that they stole from a medicine man.
They would use and abuse all their magic, so tragic, 
to conjure the Scarecrow Clan,
for their devilish dastardly plan.

The Clan owed them a favor for past misbehavior,
behavior so foul and so cruel,
they would ride when moon became full!
When the moon elevated they rose animated
to drown Mitten’s in the cesspool.
As they hunted they started to drool.

Hunting high, hunting low, riding ‘round to and fro,
the Clan frantically searched helter-skelter,
for young Mittens who found a safe shelter.
As they howled and they growled all the air became fouled,
but they couldn’t find Mittens’ safe shelter.
“When we find her, in acid we’ll melt her!”

Could these four scarecrows stoop to even new lows
as they hunt by light of the moon?
(Better hurry the dawn will come soon!)
Long they hunted and haunted but she was undaunted,
she laughed at the bumbling buffoons,
while she purred out some kitty cat tunes.

Curled with grace in a space near the warm fireplace,
for the Scarecrow Clan fears the fire.
(Just the thought of it makes them perspire.)
Low they lurched as they searched in the fields near the church,
growing desperate, dejected, and dire,
for the sunlight will make them expire.

Then dawn broke Night's dark cloak with a big puff of smoke
as the angels’ black magic was shattered,
and the Scarecrow Clan riders battered.
Under natural law the Clan turned back to straw,
and their straw o’er the cornfield was scattered.
She'll be safe now and that’s all that mattered.


13-March-2020 (Friday the 13th). First Place in "A Rattling Rhyme" poetry contest sponsored by Nina Parmenter
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Fenn Avatar
April 26, 2021 at 1:43 PM
What a fun poem! Glad the clan didn’t win and Mittens stayed safe!
Cohen Avatar
April 26, 2021 at 9:02 PM
Thanks, Jennifer. This one had to have a happy ending. ~Eric
Hamilton Avatar
January 8, 2021 at 11:59 AM
Congrats Eric on a nice win, I love internal rhyme and how you used it, a really great cadence and fun read!
Cohen Avatar
January 9, 2021 at 9:58 PM
Thanks, John. Glad you stopped by.
Ermine Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 10:13 PM
Damn!! Skillful doesn't begin..! Off the chain work, Eric, oceans of powerful inspiration fed your whole process. I'm enamoured. A write of massive entertainment capacity.
Kaufman Avatar
May 22, 2020 at 10:08 AM
I appreciate this tribute to Mittens..so glad the journey ends well..you had been thinking otherwise..congratulations..
Cohen Avatar
May 22, 2020 at 10:14 AM
Thank you, Nancy. On an unrelated topic: I'm an avocado fan and enjoyed your poem very much. Best to you. Eric.
De Beaulieu Avatar
May 18, 2020 at 1:45 PM
Hello Eric Cohen, I love this tale in poetry form. I love the ending that the cat is safe. Enjoy your day my friend.
De Beaulieu Avatar
May 19, 2020 at 1:44 PM
Hi Eric, you are welcomed. This is a great poem. Enjoy your day my friend.
Cohen Avatar
May 18, 2020 at 10:02 PM
Hi Darlene. Always nice to hear from you. Thanks for reading and commenting. Have a great evening. Eric
Dunlap Avatar
May 15, 2020 at 4:47 PM
Thank goodness kitty was safe. Clever poem. Bon boulot.
Cohen Avatar
May 15, 2020 at 5:38 PM
Thanks for stopping by and the kind comment.
Marcum Wong Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 4:14 PM
Those must have been dark angels. You rambled you’re way right into being awarded a trophy for this clever piece. I am sure happy kitty is safe! Congratulations Eric! : )
Cohen Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 4:20 PM
Connie, thanks for reading and your comments, which I always appreciate.
Mcferran Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 1:37 PM
This is sublime!! Love the rhythm, rhymes and deliciously creepy tone... and the perfectly lovely ending! I could see a kind of cartoon version of this in my head as I was reading- LOVE it!!! ;)
Cohen Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 3:56 PM
Thanks Rhona. Your comments mean a lot to me.
Dietrich Avatar
March 27, 2020 at 8:57 PM
wow, what an imagination you have. Great story telling, Eric and congrats on the trophy win.
Cohen Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 10:20 AM
Thanks, Andrea. This was the one I started but didn't use for the Poe contest.
Radice Avatar
March 27, 2020 at 4:50 AM
The rhythm of this is akin to the sound of a train on its tracks.. and I love it :)
Barden Avatar
March 26, 2020 at 11:01 PM
This is wonderful writing, Eric, all the elements I enjoy, (and I will ALWAYS prefer Rhyme over Free Verse, personally) ... congratulations on a well-deserved trophy in Nina's contest - she knows her stuff! (Ironically I wrote a "creepy scarecrow" poem a few days prior - we must have tied into the same vibe - I've been looking for a good creepy scarecrow movie ever since, lol!). Blessings! :o) (Into my faves)
Cohen Avatar
March 27, 2020 at 6:38 AM
Thanks, Greg. Yes, I think we are on the same vibe. I'll look for your scarecrow poem.
Cohen Avatar
March 26, 2020 at 4:52 PM
I am so delighted. Thank you, Nina. This was fun. Please keep coming up with ideas for contests like this. I love writing in this style with fast rhythm and such, whether for a silly or light poem or a "serious" one. I had given up on the idea for this poem until I saw the scheme you commissioned and it clicked. Also enjoyed the other poems submitted, so you deserve credit for inspiring us.
Watt Avatar
March 26, 2020 at 4:39 PM
Eric, all your creativity in weaving this Friday the 13th melodrama with scarecrows and bad angels and a cute kitten who's smart enough to cuddle up by the fireplace, along with your inventive rhymes make this a very worthy gold medal winner. Hats off!
Cohen Avatar
March 26, 2020 at 4:55 PM
Thanks, John. I appreciate the comment. Can't take much credit for "Friday the 13th," though. That was the actual day I posted the poem (was afraid the contest would fill up if I waited any longer).
Lamoureux Avatar
March 17, 2020 at 8:25 AM
This was beyond fun. A true pleasure to read. I am thoroughly entertained. ;0)
Cohen Avatar
March 17, 2020 at 3:52 PM
Thanks for reading and glad you enjoyed it.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace