Notes About The Poem

Entry for A Wicked Twist on Fairytales Poetry Contest: Sponsored by: Sara Jama  

 

Under The Tree Where The Bodies Hang

Under the tree where the bodies hang
swaying, dancing in the gelid breeze
neath their rotting toes, the children sang;
slow circling a boy; they taunt and tease.

"It's your father and your mother, too,"
they chant, as one, fiery eyes aglow,
"Who dance on the rope, and soon will you."
to the cadence of a cawing crow.

"We'll slice you up and cook us a stew."
the chant gets faster. Each takes a knife
"Then we'll boil your bones and make some glue."
thirteen stabs put an end to a life.

They braise the boy, then each they follow
from dark black cauldron upon a fire;
of steaming stew, they take a swallow;
each with each other, they now conspire.

"We sliced you up and cooked us a stew."
the singing slows as the children fill
"And no one cares because no one knew."
soon, sleep takes over the early thrill.

Wolf was waiting on the edge of dark
thirteen children who once danced and sang
become just a stain, a bloody mark;
under the tree where the bodies hang.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Wolf Avatar
June 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Seems like a perfect Mother Goose type tale. They're all wicked, if you've noticed. Artfully done, Terry.
Miller Avatar
June 20, 2025 at 3:21 AM
They are indeed wicked, Grimm by name grim by nature, thank you Gershon
Dietrich Avatar
June 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM
I wish I had tried this contest now but I still probably couldn't have matched this one. Big congrats on your win
Miller Avatar
June 20, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Thank you so much Andrea
Volumes Avatar
May 28, 2025 at 7:53 AM
And I thought you were such a nice guy Terry !!! Wow I am still shivering. Umm I cant say it was a "nice poem", I can say it was wonderfully written, and captivating. Move over Steven King, Terry Miller is on the scene. Congrats on the win in the contest Terry, definitely well deserved.
Miller Avatar
June 20, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Hi Wen, it was a bit dark and nasty, but then the original Grimm tales were, anyway I had a lot of fun writing it. I have set this one to music too, works really well: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKvSRgIT2Gx/ Thank you for your kind comment, stay well.
Dietrich Avatar
May 23, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Oh my. Dark and twisted for sure. Should do well in the contest!
Miller Avatar
May 23, 2025 at 8:35 AM
It is dark indeed Andrea, I hope it is what was required, thank you for stopping by and reading
Godwin Avatar
May 22, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ew - weeew - your imagination did cleverly chew! Fantastic ending, so fitting. A grim tale that would teach children irony, plus a moral: what goes around comes around, OR give children nightmares. No child would hear the tale and walk away with no reaction. Though dark, so very dark (I wouldn't want to see the movie), I appreciate the talent, the tale's worth and the creativity that when into it. 1st stanza, 4th line, is front the word intended? Great Job ... CayCay
Miller Avatar
May 23, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Thank you!
Godwin Avatar
May 23, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Soup Mail
Miller Avatar
May 22, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I struggled with that word, good catch pointing it out, I wanted to use it as to deceive to be fake put on a face but I am very open to suggestions, as I am not 100% with that line. But the contest wanted dark, so here it is
Rodrigues Avatar
May 19, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Geez! LOL! Truly Grimm!
Miller Avatar
May 20, 2025 at 9:30 AM
It is a bit!
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