As long as poetry has been called...
Do any of you play with those magnetic poetry kits? I like them, because I often find that being restricted often fuels my creativity. The limited word choice can be interesting, as well as having them there in front of your face to choose from.
Here a few of mine.
An old kiss
And a naked eye
I always
remember
why
sail away sister
the magic dies tonight
in the belly of the fire god
her translucent laugh lingers
haunting me
a ghost of the questions
never asked
you me
you me
you we
were
the porcelain angel
cuts her circles
in the broken ice
And a longer one not involving the kit:
The Hand
I wander the mist
of what is between
as I strain to glimpse
that which is unseen
the path before me
is narrow and tight
the air is thick
I carry no light
ghosts hover and dance
deep in that strange mist
shapes that frolic so
and cavort and twist
and a sound I hear
from out of the gloom
voices of laughter
of mirth and my doom
"What, ho!" I let shout
"would you have me for?"
and then ... silence
for they sing no more
no weapon on hand
and no charm nor spell
helpless against them
if they nay meant well
a sheen to my side
brighter than the rest
takes form of a man
in his courtly best
from behind his mask
he spies with one eye
the other is dead
shriveled and dry
he offers his hand
clad crimson and white
and all I can do
is nay run in fright
"A good draw, my friend."
he says with a grin
"With me at your hand,
you are sure to win."
and with that he does step
right off of the path
I follow meekly
for I fear his wrath
as the howls come
followed by their hosts
the knight does reply
with jabs and boasts
his arm sweeps a pass
through the forming hoard
leaving behind naught
but his gleaming sword
then out of the dark
steps the knight's own twin
not trimmed in scarlet
but obsidian
they clash with a roar
with thunder, with steel
neither can gain ground
in this even deal
"Low or high this hand,
I need you in play!"
the red knight did shout
as I saw him sway.
with courage unbidden
I leapt to his side
empty hands at best
bards could sing, "He tried..."
but the ruse paid well
as the twin did shift
he dubbed me a threat
let his swordpoint drift
before I can blink
the dark twin falls dead
the white of his cloth
turning a bright red
the knight points his sword
to a trail yonder
"Now take this way home.
Don't pause to ponder."
only a short jaunt
and now I am free
and see my dear home
standing before me
as I splash my face
beside a cool stream
I begin to doubt
was it naught but dream?
my eyes are drawn down
cards tucked in my belt
the Jack and the Ace
the hand I was dealt