Painting: The Scream by Edvard Munch
my sweaty palms grip
the sides of my head
eyes wide with terror
a shrill scream rises
in my throat
my stomach is twisted
in Gordion knots
my feet are welded
to the pavement
my knees begin
to buckle
I feel thirty pairs of eyes
staring straight
through me
suddenly my mood
dissipates
thank goodness the tiny
green garter snake
has darted into the bushes
Our love must never have a sunset,
Become cold as the sun in this sea.
Thus, hold tender vows without regret.
Dearly contemplating word and deed,
Heading along the bridal marquee.
Cadre of witnesses stands agreed.
Borrowed scarf erases mirthful sobs.
My elder's poor brooch fastened loosely.
Blue garter buckles, groom later lobs.
Launching fresh bouquets of baby's breath,
Superstition ignites fantasy.
Unbridled guests wrestle unto death.
Their hearts strive from unsettled desire.
When seeking love's prize, wisely tarry,
Arm steady flames, diffuse reckless fire.
the vampire ball will be held in Salem for a lark
a place where witches don’t like to be after dark
I went anyway, with my cousin Glud
For he loves gruesome stuff, gore and blood
I was dressed in the brightest purple I could find
with homemade black tulle ruffles, the stiffening kind
it was low cut, so my neck could be easily bled
In case a vampire needed to be diligently fed.
I am wearing a garter belt that is satin with a bow
Attached are old world hose, silky ones that flow
My high heeled shoes are painted red on the bottom
The vampire ball is held, of course, predictably in autumn
I am expecting a blood-letting, without benefit of leeches.
I have already had that happen at one of the beaches
a handsome vampire will dive down and take my hand
And lead me through his silver tongue to the promised land.
My cousin Glud has been told to get lost when he arrives.
I expect my handsome prince to come down in fancy dives
He will be wearing a tuxedo that matches my satin dress.
We will be such a great twosome, I’ll have to attend church and confess.
Baby garter snakes are like puppies in a way
They pile themselves together on a cold windy day
I don’t know about you, but a snake pile might scare me.
Whereas a puppy pile would look as cozy and welcoming as could be.
*Phosphorous, Morning Star, has overcome
night’s stellar reign and its *lunar embrace.
Awakening, I can hear nature’s hum
while *myriad flowers are showing their grace.
They *lilt in a breeze that’s beckoning me.
I follow a path worn and *serpentine.
Across some long grass on my way I see
two garter snakes *slither; round rocks they twine,
but brief is my fright. I’m anxious to get
to the place Dawn Bringer has called me to,
a spot that I never have tired of yet.
Like a billion drops of radiant dew,
clear water tumbles down in a *cascade
and trees around me shine emerald jade.
Lanccelot went thro' the lists ticking off heads,
lost count of how many that he'd had in his beds,
handing a garter to the queen was wrong gender,
although he supposed that she could return to sender.
That brat Ivanhoe often arrived to spoil the party,
anyway with that demeanour he just looked tarty;
different generations linked them historically together,
so check your history, it really happened, don't say never.
For the purpose of this treatise - make it the same time,
have you never felt that someone was a friend of mine;
imagine that you were illegal, perhaps free for all later,
who programmed you and where was the instigator?
How would you have coped thro' - thought not quite right,
he was tired of body checking and fancied an early knight.
Like the king of Cordoba’s treasury
Reflected in a robber’s eye
A laden dish of memory
Spills into the summer night
From a moving carriage window
A flaming garter flies
With whoops and calls
And high-pitched trills
The vehicle turns aside
Then flames appear at the curtains
And smoke pours out the doors
As the party falls out laughing
Onto the meadow floor
The air is rich with jacaranda
The earth is green with dill
As the ladies and gentlemen
Of the court
Commence a Spanish quadrille
Arms are raised in laced brocade
The men they clap and sing
The ladies turn and stamp their feet
Let the festival begin!
Some kids have dogs or cats.
I have a squirrel, Fluff-fluff.
Yesterday he took me to Old Man Flatt’s.
What am I looking at? I asked, as I gazed at stuff.
There were soybeans of course.
Far off was Farmer Flatt’s oldest horse.
Something was curving itself in the grass.
It is only a garter snake I said, as it passed.
My squirrel would not look at me after that.
He likes to pretend he is big, confident and phat.
It will not hurt you I said to Fluff-fluff.
He was embarrassed, because he likes to pretend he is tough.
Roses spread with lace garter;
Boutonnière and charter.
Green meadow eyes clung to lass.
Juliet was upper class.
A shepherd was he, with crook.
All gentle men, she forsook.
Under the willow, the wind
Warmed petals with no rescind.
Tempo was slow with his bride
Deep smile, a groom could not hide.
Underneath his ruddy beard,
“Reverie,” the garden cheered.
How lucky was a poor man
To find a robust woman.
Off the balcony she came.
Her shepherd, never the same.
Barn owl lands on the soft grass
With a giant whump
Scaring away mice and chipmunks
They scatter in many directions
A garter snake was not as lucky
He gets carried off in giant talons
Lunch for owlets
How about using a soft comfy material?
You are being silly. Those materials are for men.
Women like being uncomfortable.
Having the tight elastic garter belt stuck in their crack.
Rubbing against their cheeks, rubbing them raw and red.
Okay, what about this idea – giving them some open legged underwear.
Are you crazy? So someone else can reach under there and get my goods?
Your goods? I thought they were MY goods.
My grandma said that pantaloons were great; they came off and on fast.
Your grandma said this!
Before grandpa snapped a chastity belt on her of course.
I am in a restaurant booth alone, reading.
A happy voice uplifts.
"Found a snake in my bed, just a little one. A garter snake".
I stop reading and listen. They are in the next booth.
Her friend says nothing.
I feel disappointment that I cannot see their faces.
He has the biggest…..giggle. Giggle.Giggle.
I struggle to hear more,
but alas, they are even quieter.
Suddenly a loud shriek of laughter.
Would it seem odd if I were to join them?
Probably…
Whenever the wife needs a break
From necking when I'm on the make
Her hammer and stake
Just make my heart ache
And terrifies my garter snake
The ballerina bunnies should be here at three if you please.
They pirouette and courtesy in their ballet shoes, light as a breeze!
The garden was waiting with tulips ready to give them a wink.
The ballerina bunnies arrived wearing tutus in yellow, lavender and pink.
They are the best! The zinnias giggled with excitement and delight.
There was a garter snake, but it did not give them a fright.
They danced with the roses, the lilies, the violets and tulips so bright.
They gave us all a preview of how Easter dances can be airy and light!
the charcoal-colored cat
creeps upon it's prey
pouncing at the last possible minute
before the garter snake
slithers in tall grass
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