His name was Jack, trader & trickster
Of perfumes & tarot cards of death
Carrie was young, dolled in her sister's
grey clothes, carrying basket of baby's breath
They met under bony tree, dire of pears
To exchange a letter sealed by candle wax
With a grin, Jack bowed with gentleman's air
And she smiled, preening feathers & flax
Her purse full, she'll meet him by lodging house
Tomorrow when the night is grey silver
And air is wanton whiskey & roasted grouse-
Jack rides off, salivating with thoughts of glitter
On a flesh cuddly soft as baby
Her swan neck, arching for fool's gold
Wait, what's her name? Jack's brain was hazy
His chest were knives, pressed so cold
With these blackouts, he was lost fish
Palm readings to find his landing, so tragic-
Carrie walked towards the market to buy fish
hooks. Her dagger & cord, ready to work magic
Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - You Want It Darker, guest hosted by Lucy. Dark themes in ballad poetry form. Thanks for your visit and comments.
Oh... I love myself a great murder ballad. Love the tables turned, and now I want to listen to Nick Cave singing this in duet with Kylie Minogue.
ReplyDeleteThis is well done, Grace. I love the dark imagery and symbolism in your poem, and especially the dark humor at the end:
ReplyDelete"Carrie walked towards the market to buy fish
hooks. Her dagger & cord, ready to work magic"
I'm still cracking up. This flows so well and I especially adore the word-play in this piece. Fantastic work.
A dark ballad indeed, Grace, with hints of Bertolt Ballad. I love the use of alliteration in ‘trader & trickster’, ‘basket of baby’s breath’ and ‘wanton whisky’. I also love the ominous tone and the clever enjambment in the lines:
ReplyDelete‘Carrie walked towards the market to buy fish
hooks. Her dagger & cord, ready to work magic’.
Oh what a tale! Clash of the dark titans.
ReplyDeletei love to see the tables turned - this had the feel of something old and dark - a Beggars Opera song.
ReplyDeleteDeliciously dark, Grace! I love how seamlessly you have wrought the ominous tone, and imagery that lingers long after one has read the poem. Inspired~💝
ReplyDeleteGreat work indeed, Grace. Darkalicious! Thanks
ReplyDeleteOh, darkness prevails in flowing lines that weave an ominous tale. Brilliant piece, Grace.
ReplyDeleteThis was a mysterious tale with a twist. Great description of the air. One wonders who is really the trickster in this ballad.
ReplyDeleteair is wanton whiskey & roasted grouse-
Conniving Jack had better watch out!! You won't fool her twice!!
ReplyDeleteWell done Grace! Love your story!
Alas poor Jack. His evil plan was thwarted. Yay Carrie!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly picked a dark story line, and so appropriate for a ballad!
ReplyDeleteImpactful one
ReplyDeleteQuite a ballad. Quite a twist!
ReplyDeleteWonderfully wicked Grace! ☺️
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous tale!
ReplyDeleteWhat a dark, wondrous tale!
ReplyDeleteThis was a fine bit of poetry Grace. I enjoyed the darkness. Well written.
ReplyDeleteWith a grin, Jack bowed with gentleman's air
ReplyDeleteAnd she smiled, preening feathers & flax
A classic start to dark elements of wanting to outwit! Nicely done Grace!
Hank
Which one's the fish, is my question, and who hooked whom. Delightful.
ReplyDeletedark ballads are fun to read! Lots of good visuals like the "bony tree" and "wanton whiskey air" make this a a gem!
ReplyDeleteDarkly delicious!
ReplyDelete