An Awful Nanny

Many an interpretations have I known of tales,
Of darkness versus light, gruesome versus delightful.
A time bedtime stories were Mamma’s pride.
Fortunate we were to look upon her face, all lightened.

Came an awful nanny, turned us to mice frightened.
Withered oval face, grim and opaque with intentions hidden;
Was she vindictive over our annoying childhood pranks
Or victorious in her power to patronise and subdue us?

Wonder would we, long after, on her tales, minds filled 
And heart heavy with weird pictures of evil dead; animals 
In the museum coming to live, behaving in amazing ways
And of monoliths moving to open ways for monsters
To crawl out from the dark dungeons of the earth.

These were just prelude; the more terrifying accounts
Would pour down as the night darkness intensified.
Held terrorised of vicious blood suckers sneaking in
through opening of windows on sudden gusts of wind, 
Tightly we would grip each other, my sisters would cry.

One day, the climax was attained; nanny was a witch!
Peeped did the moon on us, in time finding us solace.
“The night is darkest before dawn.’ Mamma would say.
Shot a shining star, mamma it was, her light gave us 
Strength and to nanny we rushed, pushed her with a blow.
Out of the window she flew, turning to a coward crow!

Date:16/07/16 (24 lines)
Contest: Make a poem*2 (using 21 words provided)
Sponsor: Shadow Hamilton
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

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

Smith Avatar
July 17, 2016 at 1:25 AM
Absolutely delightfully scary, just right for any children's story book. Just like ones I read to my children when they were small. Did she land in a cherry tree or sneak around the back in search of of apple pie cooling on the open window sill. My favourite witch story by NZ Author was called The Witch in the cherry tree. LOVE IT 7 glad I looked in - David still alive and well in NZ
U.D Palawon  Avatar
July 17, 2016 at 4:59 AM
Thanks so much for going through. Glad to have such nice comment from you :) ... will surely visit to your writings and see said book on web. Its so nice to write about children fear and wonders. Written a novel and one about a dog mostly for children. Will be pub. soon. :)
Sathasivam Avatar
July 17, 2016 at 12:40 AM
Excellent. Well penned. Enjoyed reading it. TFS
U.D Palawon  Avatar
July 17, 2016 at 12:43 AM
Thanks Ravi, for having a look. So kind of you. :) Sunita.
Dietrich Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 10:11 AM
wow, what an amazing ending, pushing her out the window and she turns into a crow! you have a wonderful imagination, Sunita. I need imagination right now for those 21 difficult words!!!
U.D Palawon  Avatar
July 17, 2016 at 12:05 AM
:D...hmm a good correction to the awful nanny! Thanks Andrea for going through, your comments are always a pleasure to read. Go on, soon you'll come out of something wonderful. :)
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